Ahead of Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu’s formal declaration of his governorship ambition today (Monday), Eterno Hotels in Benin City has cancelled his booking to use the hotel.

The hotel, located in the Government Reserved Area, Benin, is owned by a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

Our correspondent gathered that Shaibu was contacted by the management of the hotel that the space was no longer available for his use while his money was refunded. The hotel management was said to have told the Shaibu group that another group, ‘Obaseki finishing well group,’ had paid for the same venue.

One of Shaibu’s loyalists, who asked not to be named, told our correspondent that: “We found this very preposterous that we were contacted by the hotel management that a group had paid for the same venue for a programme slated for 7 a.m. same date.

“We know where this is coming from. Whatever their plans to frustrate our declaration will definitely fail. They are jittery over Shaibu’s declaration and popularity.”

Shaibu’s governorship ambition has pitted him against his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is believed to be working to pick someone else to succeed him.

At the height of the crisis, Shaibu dragged Obaseki and the state House of Assembly to court, seeking an order to stop them from impeaching him.

Obaseki, on his part, had openly accused Shaibu of being overambitious.

Though Shaibu later apologised to Obaseki and the latter said he had forgiven him, the Edo State Government relocated Shaibu’s office out of the government house.

Last week, Shaibu’s camp said the deputy governor would this week formally declare his intention to run for the 2024 Edo State governorship election.

A‘Special Invitation’ datedNovember 23, 2023, which the Philip Shaibu Campaign Organisation, made available to newsmen last week, read:“On behalf of Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu Campaign Organisation, I invite you to honour me with your esteemed presence as I offer myself to serve as the Chief Servant (Governor) of Edo State.”

As stated in the letter, the event was scheduled to be held on Monday, November 27, at the Eterno Hotels, by 8 am. (Text, excluding headline: The PUNCH)