Godwin Obaseki, the Governor of Edo State during a tete-a'-tete with an old PDP Chieftain in the dinning room of the Government House Benin City, has disclosed why he did not appoint Hon. Paschal Ugbomhe as replacement for his embattled Deputy, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu. 

The Governor made the remark while having a meal with some of his close appointees and PDP leaders who attended the swearing in of his new Deputy, who hails from Akoko Edo Local Government Area. 

The Governor queried why every position must go to Etsako people to the detriment of those from Akoko Edo, which has a big voting population.  

He said Etsako has the Senator and Minister. 

The Governor further argued that to now add Deputy Governor to what they already have will be an act of injustice to the people of Edo North who are not only Etsako people, but Owan and Akoko Edo, inclusive.

When asked by one of the PDP leaders why he dropped Paschal Ugbomhe, whose name went viral as Shaibu's replacement, the Governor replied that Asue Ighodalo does not need an Etsako Deputy Governor to win the forthcoming September 2024 Governorship election in Edo State.

For most political watchers, this statement by the Governor may not be unconnected with the feeling in the new PDP camp, where the Governor belongs to, that the trio of Senators Adams Oshiomohle, Chief Dan Orbih and Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu who are from Etsako will make it difficult for the PDP to win a single ward in the three Local Governments within the Etsako Federal Constituency in the forthcoming Edo guber polls.