Philip Shaibu, a former deputy governor of Edo State, has announced his support for Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, in the upcoming governorship election on September 21.

Shaibu stated that the race initially featured three local candidates: himself, Okpebholo, and Olumide Akpata from the Labour Party (LP). "I support a local candidate because I believe our government should be led by someone who understands our community's issues. We've tried outsiders before, and it hasn’t worked. We need a local leader," Shaibu said. He emphasized that there are only two local candidates left in major parties: one in LP and one in APC, and he has chosen to back the APC's Okpebholo. He criticized the PDP candidate as an outsider and opposed to godfatherism, noting that the PDP's candidate is connected to Governor Obaseki.

Shaibu made these remarks during the 2024 Father’s Day celebration at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City, where he served as an altar attendant. He clarified that after withdrawing from the race, he supports Okpebholo, and Governor Obaseki has acknowledged that everyone is free to choose their candidate. Shaibu stressed that his endorsement of the opposition is not anti-party, highlighting that Governor Obaseki himself had affiliations with both PDP and Labour Party in previous elections. "Everyone has the right to support whoever they want, and this is my choice," he concluded.