In a recent interview with Channels Television, Crusoe Osagie, an adviser to the Edo State Governor, has dismissed the significance of Philip Shaibu’s support for the APC candidate in the upcoming election. Osagie expressed confidence in Adams Oshiomhole’s ability to win in Etsako, citing his popularity in the region. He noted that Shaibu’s allegiance is inconsequential to their electoral success.
Osagie acknowledged that Oshiomhole’s influence extends to Shaibu’s own ward, making it a challenging task for the PDP to secure votes in that area. However, he emphasized that the PDP has a strategy in place to address this challenge.
The adviser also highlighted the party’s strengths in other regions, such as Akoko Edo, where they expect to perform well. He concluded by stating that while Shaibu’s support is welcome, it is not crucial to their victory.
In essence, Osagie is confident that Oshiomhole’s popularity and influence will secure their win in Etsako and beyond. He believes that the PDP’s strategy will help them overcome any challenges posed by Oshiomhole’s popularity in Edo North. With this confidence, Osagie is optimistic about the PDP’s chances in the upcoming election.
In his own words, ”Philip Shaibu has declared his intention to support the APC candidate and we welcome it. Let him move on and leave our party alone. He never won Etsako anyway. Whether we have Philip Shaibu in our camp or not, Oshiomhole will beat him in Etsako. So we don’t really need Philip in our camp to win the election. It is a fact that Adams Oshiomhole is going to beat him in Etsako West, Etsako East and Etsako central.
He stated further, “And if possible Adams Oshiomhole will even heat him in his own ward. We have done our calculation and we have counted our losses. We know the places where we won’t do well in the part of the state and that is Edo North. And that is because of the popularity of Adams Oshiomhole in that part of the state. And we know nobody can contest against that popularity and influence, not even Philip Shaibu. We have our strategy for Edo North, we have other areas like Akoko Edo that we can win.”….Seē _ Morē