Atiku, Okowa, PDP Govs, Damagun, others campaign for Ighodalo in Edo
Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stormed Benin City, Edo State, on Saturday to canvass support for the party’s candidate in the upcoming September 21 governorship election.
Asue Ighodalo and his deputy, Osarodion Ogie, are running on the PDP ticket to succeed the current governor, Godwin Obaseki.
The campaign trail featured key figures from the PDP, including the party’s vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Iliya Damagum.
They were accompanied by a strong team of PDP governors, led by the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed.
The entourage also included notable PDP governors such as Siminialayi Fubara (Rivers), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Umoh Eno (Akwa Ibom), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta). Other prominent figures like former governors Liyel Imoke and Donald Duke, former Minister of Police Affairs Adamu Maina Waziri, and a host of senators and party stalwarts were present to show support for Ighodalo.
The visitors were welcomed at the Benin Airport by Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Following their arrival, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, at his residence to celebrate his birthday before heading to Garrick Memorial School, the venue for the grand finale of the PDP governorship campaign rally.
Speaking to a mammoth crowd of party supporters, Governor Obaseki expressed gratitude to the people of Edo for their unwavering support during his administration, which he credited for the numerous successes achieved in the state. He urged the people to turn out in large numbers to vote for the PDP, emphasizing the need to continue the state’s forward momentum under the leadership of Ighodalo.
“When I came into office in 2016, I was told that teachers couldn’t read, that they were not good and were abandoned, but today, Edo is number one in education,” Obaseki stated.
“When I came, they said civil servants were corrupt, not good, and were not paid salaries on time, but today, we have the best civil service in Nigeria. Our pensioners are paid on time, and we’ve created jobs for our youths, giving them hope and a future.”
Obaseki also lauded the state’s security efforts, noting, “Our state is the safest in the country. Our vigilantes are the best in the country. Now they want to spoil all our achievements.
Will you vote for insecurity and people who did not go to school to lead us? The decision is clear, and next Saturday is the election day. We need you all to come out en masse to vote for the PDP and ensure Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie win the election.”
Atiku Abubakar, in his address, urged the people of Edo State not to allow themselves to be intimidated but to come out and vote confidently.
“Edo people have never been intimidated, and we saw that four years ago when the APC threatened to take over the state, but they didn’t succeed.
This time around, we must ensure that Asue Ighodalo becomes the next governor of Edo State. Come out, vote, and defend your votes,” Atiku said.
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Governor Bala Mohammed, who led the PDP governors, praised the unity within the party and called on the people to maintain the same spirit of unity and cooperation.
He said, “The PDP governors are more united than ever, and together we will ensure that Edo continues to prosper under the leadership of Asue Ighodalo.”
The Chairman of the Edo National Campaign Council and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, also commended Governor Obaseki’s developmental achievements in Edo. Fintiri urged the people to vote for Ighodalo, emphasizing the need to sustain the progress in the state.
“Obaseki has made a mark in Edo State in terms of development, performance, and human capacity development. Edo people need to vote right to bring in another competent person like Obaseki or someone even better,” he said.
Fintiri added, “We should support and vote for Asue Ighodalo because he is the most credible candidate for this election. We will all be here next Saturday.
We can’t be intimidated or threatened by anybody or party. We will vote, protect, and defend our votes and ensure Asue Ighodalo wins the election.”
The highlight of the rally was when Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, were officially presented with the PDP flag by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Iliya Damagum.
In his acceptance speech, Ighodalo reassured the people of Edo of his commitment to govern with transparency and sincerity.
“We will govern with sincerity, and transparency and do what will make Edo great again. PDP is a party of courage, and we have the courage to fight and win our elections come September 21st, 2024,” Ighodalo declared.
“We promise to take Edo to the next level and place the state amongst the first world states. With your support, we will deliver on all our promises and ensure that Edo State continues to grow,” he added.
The rally ended with a firm commitment from the PDP leaders to ensure victory for the party in the forthcoming election, as they urged all Edo citizens to come out en masse and cast their votes for Asue Ighodalo.
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