Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, has stressed the need for party members to close ranks and strategise to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He stated this at a meeting with the PDP leaders in Akoko-Edo to discuss strategies ahead of the election. The meeting was summoned by the leader of the group, Chief Olu Fashanu and held at the Benin residence of Senator Odion Ugbesia, a former minister for Solid Minerals.
Others at the meeting included Mr. Ademola Shaibu-Ekha, Hon. J.B Agbogun, former special adviser to Governor Obaseki; Prince Kayode Ogunubi, LGA chairman of the party, Elder Olu Dania, national delegate, Ambassador Dele Idaomi, Chief Sunny Okomayin, former PDP Senatorial chairman; Hon. Jeffrey Obasanmi, Former Liaison Officer of the local government, Hon. Solomon Taiwo, senior special assistant to Governor Obaseki, Hon. Topa Okomayin, former Security Adviser to the local government area and others.
Ighodalo commended the party leaders for the “honest analytical report and suggestions on ways and means of resolving the party’s internal issues” just as he urged the leaders not to rest on their oars because “PDP is the only Party that can rescue this nation because, we have capable members with the right vision, focus and patriotic zeal to reposition Nigeria.
“PDP remains the only party since 1999 that is still standing, while other parties have since either collapsed, fragmented or became amalgamation of strange, odd and unhealthy bedfellows. A contraption of complicated forced Union.”
Ighodalo stressed the need to close ranks and strategise to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) which he said has been Nigeria’s development nemesis. He added that verifiable available data shows that PDP is far ahead of other parties, “the Party’s campaign structure will soon be unveiled.”
He called for fair representation of all interests including women, youths, even the ‘Obidient’ Movement in the campaign structure of the party.
In his opening remarks, Fashanu commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for choosing Engr Godwins Omobayo who is from the local government area as the new deputy governor of the state.
Fashanu said the leaders of thought gathered to productively engage and interact with Ighodalo to ensure total electoral victory in the election adding that the party has a commanding political structure and willing electorate empathy in the area.
“These goodwill and opportunities necessitates the need to proactively build and develop strong campaign teams with experienced political leadership at Ward levels in Akoko-Edo and beyond. This will neutralise voter intimidation being orchestrated by the so-called ‘federal might’.”
