The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lambasted former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu for describing the party’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, as an outsider and announcing his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

Shaibu, a PDP member, made the statement on Sunday, saying that Ighodalo was a product of godfatherism and an outsider, while Okpebholo was a homeboy who understood the challenges in the state.

However, the PDP hit back at Shaibu’s remarks, calling them baseless and contradictory.

The party’s Deputy Director General of the media arm of the governorship campaign council, Rev. Olu Martin, described Shaibu’s reasons for supporting the APC candidate as weak and lacking substance.

Martin argued that growing up in Edo State does not make someone a stranger in their own state, and that Shaibu should focus on the candidate’s capacity, intelligence, and leadership qualities rather than their background.

The PDP also slammed Shaibu for remaining in the party while working against its candidate, saying it was an act of weakness.

Martin urged Shaibu to either resign from the PDP or support its candidate with sincerity.

Ighodalo won the PDP governorship ticket ahead of Shaibu and has the backing of Governor Godwin Obaseki, who has been involved in Edo politics for many years.