‘Emilokan’ can’t win elections in Edo – Obaseki tells deputy

Our reporter/ ‘Emilokan’ slogan cannot win elections in Edo state, Governor Godwin Obaseki has told his deputy, Philip Shaibu.

The stated this while receiving the leaders of Edo South Senatorial District at the Government House following the rift between him and his deputy.

The ‘Emilokan’ slogan was used by Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the APC during the 2023 general election campaign.

But addressing the party leaders on Tuesday, Obaseki said Edo people will not accept ‘Emilokan’ in apparent reference to the speculation that his deputy wants to join the APC.

“Edo people will not accept ‘Emilokan’ as a strategy in government as they are not known for that. For us, it is the people that will decide, the governor said.

“What has happened in the last few months is strange, and even if you have ambition, this is not the time to express it. The timetable for the election is not out. You can’t be part of a government and also be the one to destabilise the same government.

“I thought we came together and will leave together and let the people say you have done a great job, and they will now make the decision themselves. They are the ones to say that come rain or sunshine, we must continue.

“You are telling the world one thing and yet doing another. You are loyal to your principal and yet you are in Court with your principal. Everybody has the right to be ambitious but do it the right way.”

Governor Obaseki and his deputy Philip Shaibu are engaged in a cat and mouse game over who becomes the next governor of the state in the election scheduled for next year.

Shaibu recently dragged his principal to court to stop him from removing him from office but the governor accused his deputy of manipulating youth council elections to favour his ambition of succeeding him.