The immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo state, Comrade Philip Shaibu on Friday denied the rumour in some political quarters that he has been subbing Asue Ighodalo for some time now.
Shaibu, who spoke with journalists in Abuja through his Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Barrister Demian Lawani, said first and foremost, Asue Ighodalo should stop parading himself as the People's Democratic party Governorship candidate in Edo state, pointing out that, "until all pending cases in court are determined, he should not claim to be the PDP candidate."
Speaking further, Barrister Demian Lawani said, "My attention has been drawn to rumours circulating round some political circles that Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the political godson to Godwin Obaseki, is claiming to have made several attempts to reach out to Comrade Philip Shaibu, but all failed.
"First and foremost, the said person never reached out to Shaibu, whether in person or through proxy.
"Secondly, the said Asue Ighodalo should know that he's not the candidate of People's Democratic party PDP, until a competent court decides otherwise.
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"Thirdly, immediately after the party primary which he, Philip Shaibu, won, he immediately set up reconciliation committee headed by veteran politician and a pastor, Kennedy Asekomhe, to reconcile all aggrieved persons including the Asue Ighodalo.
"For the avoidance of doubt, and to put the record straight, all issues regarding the party primary is currently in court. And until court decides otherwise, no one, not even Asue Ighodalo, can say he is the party candidate.
"Also, he should stop the narrative of him reaching out to Comrade Philip Shaibu, which never happened either through phone calls by himself or through proxy. Instead, Asue Ighodalo, the political godson to Godwin Obaseki, participated and financed the purported impeachment, with the evidence out there for the public to see.
"Finally, the said Asue Ighodalo tactically avoided the reconciliation committee set up by Philip Shaibu to extend a hand of friendship to him immediately after the party primary.
"Therefore, I call on Edo people and the general public to disregard any rumour(s) regarding Asue Ighodalo trying to reach out and reconcile with Philip Shaibu. Further details will be made known to the public as the matter in court unfolds."