Obby Khan was elected in a by-election, following the resignation of former premier Brian Pallister, narrowly beating Willard Reaves, the Liberal candidate and another former Winnipeg Blue Bomber.
27 Facts About Obby Khan
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Obby Khan narrowly won the 2025 Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba leadership election, defeating businessman Wally Daudrich, becoming the leader of the Opposition.
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Obby Khan is the first person of colour to serve as leader of the PC party.
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Ibrahim "Obby" Khan was born on 8 October 1980 in Ottawa, Ontario, to a Muslim-Canadian family of Pakistani heritage.
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For high-school, Khan attended Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School and played football and rugby.
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Obby Khan was selected with the second overall pick of the 2004 CFL Draft by the Ottawa Renegades and signed with the team on 19 May 2004.
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Obby Khan dressed for the Renegades during the first two games of the 2004 CFL season but did not see action.
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In Game 11 versus Montreal, Obby Khan began the game as a back-up and filled in well for centre George Hudson when he went down with a back injury.
9.
Obby Khan started Game 12 versus BC he started as centre against the Lions.
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Obby Khan started five of 15 games for the Ottawa Renegades in the 2005 CFL season, sitting out three games due to injury.
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Obby Khan was one of the 'Gades most versatile offensive linemen, seeing playing time at guard, centre and tackle.
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Obby Khan was the only member of the Blue Bombers' offensive line to start all 18 regular season games as well as the football club's East Semifinal contest with the Toronto Argonauts.
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Obby Khan had never played centre at the pro level until being shifted there during training camp.
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Obby Khan was named the co-winner of the CJOB Offensive Player of the Game Award in Week 8 versus the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
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Obby Khan was recognized in the CFL's post-season awards as the Bombers' nominee as Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
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On 25 April 2012, Obby Khan announced his retirement after eight seasons in the Canadian Football League.
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On 14 August 2012, the Calgary Stampeders announced that Obby Khan had come out of retirement and signed with the team.
18.
Obby Khan was released by the Stampeders on 11 March 2013.
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Obby Khan owns and operates Shawarma Obby Khan, a Winnipeg-based halal shawarma restaurant.
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Shawarma Obby Khan had four locations within Winnipeg: Exchange District, Pembina Highway, Graham Avenue, and a concession stand at Investors Group Field under the name "Shawarma Obby Khan In a Snap".
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Obby Khan co-created and co-owns Green Carrot Juice Company, a fresh cold-press juice business in three Winnipeg locations: Osborne Village, Airport, and Tuxedo.
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GoodLocal, which co-owner Esmail wanted to name LoveLocalMarket, started out in the basement of Shawarma Obby Khan and had 100 vendors.
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In January 2022, Obby Khan sought the nomination of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba's candidate in 2022 by-election in Fort Whyte.
24.
On 12 February 2022, Obby Khan won the nomination vote for the Fort Whyte by-election that was scheduled to take place on March 22 of that year.
25.
On 22 March 2022, Obby Khan defeated Liberal candidate Willard Reaves, both retired Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in an unusually close race for what had previously been a safe seat for the Progressive Conservatives, having previously been represented by two PC leaders.
26.
Obby Khan's election made him the first Muslim elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
27.
On 21 August 2024, Obby Khan announced his intent to run for leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba in the party leadership race.