Reported by Victor Arogunyo
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship Candidate in the September 21,2024 Edo State Governorship Election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, raced closer to the finishing line of Dennis Osadebe House, through heart-to-heart meeting with the Party’s stalwarts on Friday,12th April 2024 in the state capital, Benin City.
The strategic meeting, which was held at the Benin residence of Senator Odion Ugbesia, a former Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Minister for Solid Minerals led by Chief Olu Fashanu, had in attendance, Mr. Ademola Shaibu-Ekha, retired Director of Local Government Administration; Hon. J.B Agbogun, former Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki; Prince Kayode Ogunubi, LGA Chairman of PDP; Elder Olu Dania, National Delegate; Ambassador Dele Idaomi, Chief Sunny Okomayin, former PDP Senatorial Chairman; Hon. Jeffrey Obasanmi, Former Liaison Officer of Akoko-Edo LGA; Hon. Solomon Taiwo, Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and Hon. Topa Okomayin, former Security Adviser to Akoko-Edo Local Government Chairman and former LGA Youth Leader to deliberate on the Party Candidate’s Campaign plans in Akoko-Edo.
In his opening address, the convener, Chief Olu Fashanu thanked the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and expressed satisfaction of the Akoko-Edo PDP in the choice of Engr. Omobayo Godwins Marvelous as the new Deputy Governor of Edo State.
While offering unreserved apology on behalf of Barrister Tajudeen Alade, Executive Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area; Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, former Speaker EDHA; Hon. Segun Saiki, Senatorial Leader; Pastor Bayo Ogedengbe and Barrister Emmanuel Agbaje who were unavoidably absent due to the new Deputy Governor, Engr. Omobayo Marvellous Godwins’ official visit to Akoko-Edo.
Chief Olu Fashanu said he gathered these leaders of thought to productively engage and interact with Dr. Asue Ighodalo to ensure total electoral victory through maximasing the potentials of the Party’s structure for the September 21 2024 Governorship election.
Using the SWOT analysis, Chief Fashanu meticulously highlighted the Party’s commanding political structure and willing electorate empathy. These goodwill and opportunities he advised, necessitate the need to proactively build and develop strong campaign teams with experienced political leadership at Ward levels in Akoko-Edo and beyond. This, he pointed out, would neutralize voters intimidation being orchestrated by the so-called ‘Federal Might’.
In his address, Dr. Ighodalo thanked and commended the Party leaders for the honest analytical report and suggestions on ways and means of resolving the Party’s internal issues.
Dr. Asue who urged the leaders not to rest on their oars declared: “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.”
Speaking further, Ighodalo said: “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 advised in strong terms the need for the Party to close ranks and strategize to permanently defeat Nigeria’s development nemesis, the All Progressive Congress APC. Dr. Asue Ighodalo said that verifiable available data shows that PDP is far ahead of other parties and assured: “the Party’s campaign structure will soon be unveiled”
He advised strongly that square pegs be put in square holes to guarantee total electoral victory and warned that sentiments should not be the basis for Party appointments. The PDP Governorship Candidate emphasized the need to accommodate women and the youth into the campaign structure, including the Obedient Movement.