The Chairman of the Labour Party in Edo State, Kelly Ogbaloi has said that embattled Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, is welcome if he decides to join the party.

The chairman who spoke on Friday after a meeting with governorship aspirants under the party, said everyone is also welcome in the party.

He said, “If Philip Shaibu is coming to our party he will not be coming as Deputy Governor but as an individual like any other person. The party is open to everyone in Nigeria. The doors are open to anybody who want to come in to contest the election”.

Ogbaloi said the party decided to meet with the aspirants having observed that the numbers of the aspirants are increasing daily.

He added that there is a need for the party to bring the aspirant together, interact with them and tell them how best they can go about their sensitization towards their primary election. He said there is a need to also appreciate them for the manner they have conducted themselves so far.

On whether the labour party will take advantage of the crisis between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Deputy Governor, Rt. Comrade Philip Shaibu, Ogbaloi said his party needs a healthy opposition, adding that when you fight with a healthy man winning is more interesting and better.

He further said that the party’s expectation is for all the aspirants to compete, noting that the number of aspirants would reduce during the period of picking the nomination forms, adding that at the end of the exercise, one candidate will emerge.

He added, “We want the Labour Party to win the governorship election come 2024. And to win the election we must have a candidate that will be generally acceptable to the people of Edo State,’ he added.

On the forthcoming Local Government election, he said the party is prepared for the election, adding that no party will go into an election without preparation. (Saturday PUNCH)

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