Edo 2024: Ighodalo Meets PDP Stakeholders, Unifies State Working Committee

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

In his earlier vow to ensure unity in the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), frontline aspirant of the party in the February primaries to select a candidate eho will fly the party’s flag in September 2024 election,  Mr Asue Ighodalo,  yesterday  brought together members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP.

Sinçe the re-election of Godwin Obaseki as governor of Edo State on the platform of the PDP, the party has been sharply divided into two factions. While some members were loyal to the governor, others pitched their tent with the PDP zonal Vice Chairman (South south) Chief Dan Orbih.

However, in a unification meeting which had in attendance all members of the Edo State PDP SWC held at the Benin residence of the state PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, for the first time, witnessed the coming together of all aggrieved working committee members of the party in Edo.

Some of the members at the meeting include: Dr. Anthony Azigbemi, State  Chairman; Deputy Chairman, Harrison Omagbon; Vice Chairman (Central) Bishop Anthony Okosun; , Ehis Destiny Oreye, Anthony Anenih Jnr. State Secretary, Hilary Otsu; and Akhere Ogbesia.

Ighodalo, during his recent interaction with members of the  Correspondents’ Chapel of the Edo State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, promised to bring unity to the party before the 2024 governorship election.  ,

As part of his peace-drive, the seasoned financial expert and legal luminary, on Monday met with leaders of the party in Agenebode (Etsako East Local Government Area), Fugar (Etsako Central Local Government Area and Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area, all in Edo.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting that last over two hours, Ighodalo  said that he was  there to inform the state working committee of PDP of his intention to run for the office of the governor of Edo State.

“This is the first time the state working committee of the party is meeting together in two years. I am so elated and happy.

“My task since I stepped into the frame was to unified the party and begged for the unification of the party at every level in Edo State.”

Speaking on his mission in governance if elected, Ighodalo assured the people that his administration would build the best economy and others in Edo regardless of what is happening at the national level.

“The governor has done very well, he is laying a broad and solid foundation, we need to build on that, we to look at inclusive economy and we need to look at bringing things down to meeting direct needs of the people,” he said

Earlier, the Edo State PDP chairman, Aziegbemi, commended the governorship aspirant for the realisation of the state working committee meeting, adding that the misunderstanding in the party is now a thing of the past.

“We looked at the Issues and we concluded that the best easy for us and Edo State is for us to come together. It is only when we come together that we can make sure the legacy Obaseki left behind will not be wiped off.”

Also  speaking to journalists, Mr. Akhere Ogbesia said: “This is the first time the state work committee is coming together in since last two years. There have been disagreements and  the party had been factionalised because of different ideologies

“But this is bound to happen in politics. But we have to manage this difference for the good of the party and party members. I want to use this opportunity to commend Asue Ighodalo and the state working committee for agreeing to come together, to God be the glory.”