Edo: Ighodalo Emerging As Esan Champion As Two Step Down

Former Sterling Bank chairman and corporate guru, Asue Ighodalo was at the weekend emerging as the leading Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship aspirant from the Esan-speaking Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State after two of his rivals stepped down for him.

A meeting of leading PDP leaders from the region to further narrow down the number of aspirants from the region initially slated for Saturday, January 6, 2024 could, however, not hold.

The Special PDP committee’s meeting at the Igueben residence of PDP national leader High Chief Tom Ikimi, saw aspirants like Barrister Anselm Ojiezua, Senator Clifford Ordia, Hon. John Yakubu, Ambassador Martins Uhomoibhi, and Barrister Asue Ighodalo in attendance.

High Chief Tom Ikimi, chairman of the Special Committee, expressed gratitude to the aspirants for their commitment to the party and the Esan people. A letter from aspirant Right Hon. Marcus Onobun, announcing the suspension of his aspiration in favor of Barrister Asue Ighodalo, was read.

Another aspirant, Hon. Felix Akhabue, also known as Joefel, was absent without communication.

The aspirants present at the meeting addressed the committee on the outcomes of their further consultations. While Barrister Anselm Ojiezua awaited the committee’s decision, Hon. John Yakubu expressed his readiness to abide by the committee’s conclusion. Senator Ordia, stressing personal sacrifices for the party, unexpectedly withdrew from the race, supporting Barrister Ighodalo.

With Hon. Onobun and Sen. Ordia endorsing Barr. Ighodalo, four Edo Central PDP governorship aspirants have stepped down in his favor, enhancing his prospects ahead of the PDP primaries on February 3, 2024.

Barrister Asue Ighodalo expressed gratitude for the endorsements and commended the Committee’s sacrifices, and pledged continued alignment with their decisions.

Ighodalo, a banker, lawyer, and former chairman of Sterling Bank and Nigerian Breweries, is emerging as the leading PDP guber aspirant from Edo Central gaining significant support within the party in the seatorial district despite entering active politics recently. His official campaign launch is scheduled for January 12, 2024.

GWG.ng reports that the contest in Edo State is increasingly taking an ethnic dimension as indicated by the resolution of the Benin National Congress, BNC which at the weekend petitioned the Oba of Benin over the disproportionate political appointments which have been against the Bini who have more than half of the population of the state. Though the majority of the appointments and projects have favoured Edo North, the insinuations have fueled aspirants from Edo South to come out.

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