A GAINST the background of internal bickerings and the stormy waters of politics in Edo state, the tide of peace remains stalemated and amidst the grandiloquence and rhetorics that has shattered the political atmosphere, the resolve of one man remains unshaken to stay true to the obedience of his master. He is ready to offer an undiluted loyalty to his master and he will not, against the expectations in some quarters betray him, because that was the plan ab initio. So many words have been spoken during these infernal stand ups and the still waters of politics turned turbulence, but he never blinked an eyelid of betrayal but exhibited a loyal trust.
TRULY, RT HON COMRADE PHILIP SHAIBU possesses these honourable attributes and strength of character to remain committed to a loyal cause and toe the path of his master which without doubt is the right thing to do. What benefits has a man who betrays his own master instead of remaining true to him, he will only get a filthy lucre of reward but loses all forever. His reward will always remain positive for any man who lives up to the expectations of remaining an obedient servant. Yes, he took the oath of loyalty to support his boss at all cost. He goes about doing just that and very well, he deserves our respect and expectedly he is getting it from all EDO sons and daughters just as other residents hail his rare courage. Indeed here is a man we can trust, a dependable ally.
HE has learnt the ropes from his student Union days and many years after he has remained true to it. What moral lesson has every one learnt from the political uprightness of our indefatigable Deputy Governor? He has left a bench mark of loyalty not only in the political arena but also in the public and private life of all career political office holders that is your loyalty should be with the person you are serving and not one who by dint of opportunistic malevolence helps to carve your path or place you in some vantage position. While the gathering clouds, may be getting darker, yet, a reinforcing bright star looms around the corner to shower its bright gaze, thereby overwhelming the dark forces and foes.
NOTWITHSTANDING all these distractions, the government has continued to execute its visions for the people and governance has progressed effortlessly, to the extent that these formidable pair, the Governor and his Deputy deserve very loud commendation, especially for signing a fabulous package of new minimum wage for all Civil Servants in Edo state. We commend RT HON COMRADE PHILIP SHAIBU for showing courage against those who want to strangle politics in Edo state and make a mountain out of a mole hill, they make us feel as if we are in the midst of a political crisis, but surprisingly, the government has carried on governance to the admiration of everyone, including the political onlookers or those who sit on the fence and the very participants in the political maze, brooding against the successes so far recorded by the government. While it is a hard choice to remain true to your boss, politics is not for the faint-hearted, because when adversaries launch their offensive, you quickly cringe and submit to sheer intimidation instead of taking up your gauntlet to fight your battles. It is only the courageous and the brave that have the capacity to weather the storm.
TODAY, we commend and hail the political sagacity of RT HON COMRADE PHILIP SHAIBU for his staunch support for his boss, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Enogheghase Obaseki. Despite the recriminations from political foes, he has remained resolute and he is not yielding an inch of success already gained against all political and petty grievances that launched the stage for the infernal politics that has become like a festering sore. We wish you a full measure of happiness in your political career and in the politics of Edo state and Nigeria at large. You are indeed one of a kind and a rare breed to find in the political space in this country, you are a precious gift to Edo state, your people of Etsako land and Nigeria. You have earned for yourself greatness because you have fought for it, the path was rugged, but you braved it.
THEREFORE, we proudly celebrate you as a man of courage and urge you to continue and keep up the good works. More especially, we are happy for the harmonious working relationship between you and His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. It has never been so good in the history of Edo State that a Governor will repose so much confidence in his Deputy, so such so that he ceded to him the ship of State for one month when His Excellency went on vacation and you stepped in as the Acting Governor for that entire period. It is observable from this development that His Excellency himself is a true democrat in words and deeds. The comity of states in our federating system should therefore, take a cue from Edo state.
WE are very proud of you and your achievements under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. As a Deputy, you have really distinguished yourself as a reliable ally. We wish to boldly point out that you were very outstanding in the period you acted as Governor, you held the ship of state in tact and you were very much in control of the situation in Edo State and we are further encouraged to say that our position reflects the reasoning of every Edo Sons and daughters. IF the Governor of the state can celebrate you, then Edo citizens who every day count the good works of this administration are also celebrating you. You are indeed a rare gem and gold that has gone through the heat of a hot furnace.
WE also remember your time in the State legislature, as a Lawmaker in the Edo State House of Assembly. Your period in the house was also significant as the Majority leader where you played a pre eminent role in shaping the policy direction of the Adams Oshiomhole’s administration. Your doggedness exuded bravery and courage in the politics of Edo State, standing on a very firm ground of justice, truth and fairplay.
INTERESTINGLY, the media in the state has crowned you as a care-giver who provides succor where there is no hope and light where there is darkness. While your humanitarian benevolence cuts across board as a man whose heart is filled with charity, you extended same gift of nature to the less privileged. We recall a measure of your milk of human kindness which takes place every December, 20th where media professionals converge in your residence in Benin and Abuja for breakfast. You have also provided medical assistance to many, one of us Mrs. Ijeoma Umeh had the same heart of charity extended to her when you footed the bill of her surgery. All these lives you have touched have continued to speak of your milk of human kindness.
ABOVE all these, we want to draw from the commendation of His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Enoghaghase Obaseki on your 50th Birthday. His words:’’ I extend my felicitations to an indefatigable Comrade, who parades a sparkling array of laurels in just five decades on earth. With a kind unassuming mien that defies categorization, you have waded through life as an enigma and today you stand tall as an accomplished gentleman.
‘’ FOR the over ten years that we have worked together on the vision to build the Edo State of our dreams, Comrade Shaibu has remained unshaken in his resolve to liberate Edo from the vices and principalities that have threatened to hold the people captive and subservient in the last three years, you have remained a loyal confidant and a worthy ally. I am indeed proud of you.’’
AGAINST these backdrop, we hereby sum up by saying that you are a leading light in the politics of Edo State, determined and committed to champion a new enlightenment in the political space and you symbolize that winner image that is the desire of every one.
ONCE more, we say bravo and merci beacoup, in other words, thank you our amiable Deputy Governor, RT Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu for doing us proud.
Being a special letter of Commendation to the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu written by the state Chairmen and Secretary of the NUPPPPRON Comrade Obaghagie Queen and Comrade Osaertin Omoragbon.
