Ahead of the September 21 election, supporters and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, caused traffic gridlock along major roads and adjoining streets in Benin City as they staged a solidarity rally in support of the party’s governorship candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Ogie Osarodion.
The rally, which was put together by members and leaders of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, including its Director General, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, John Yakubu, its Deputy Director, Media and Publicity, Rev Olu Martins, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku and others, was staged through the city centre and Ring Road in solidarity with the governorship candidate of the party and his running mate.
The organisers said the recent court ruling on the governorship primary election of the party was a kangaroo ruling that would not stand the test of time and called on the people of the state to remain committed and vote for the party and Ighodalo come September 21 governorship election.
Speaking, one of the leaders of a support group, Austin Osakue, said: “We can’t be distracted, we will not surrender, we will not retreat, we will not be dissuaded by their lies. My message is that to win an election, you must cast votes, as we know Asue, that is how we know Osarodion Ogie, a man of humility.
“This election, nobody must intimidate, if they like let them be carrying court ruling around, you have all heard that there is nothing in that court ruling, instead of them to be campaigning, they are celebrating, but they can’t even campaign because their candidate is a liability, with our voter cards, we will punish them.”
For Ighodalo, who was in company of his running mate and others, he said: “The time has come for our happiness to continue, the time has come for us to have more work, the time has come for us to have more money in our pockets and by the grace of God by September when you people would have voted for me and Ogie, more upward movement will come.
“I want you to remain strong, I want you to remain happy, don’t be afraid of anything, God is in control. Everybody should get their PVCs ready so that by September 21, we will vote for PDP to ensure that the votes are counted and we will follow it to the collation centre until we are announced the winner and the state will continue to prosper, don’t be afraid.”
