The Peoples Democratic Party screened Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, former Sterling Bank Managing Director Asue Ighodalo, and former House of Representatives member Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama on Monday in preparation for the Edo State Governorship primary election on February 22.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has set September 21, 2024, as the date for the Edo State governorship election.
Additional aspirants who underwent screening included Felix Akhabue, the former chairman of Esan West Local Government Area; Ojezua, the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State; Omosede Igbinedion, a former member of the House of Representatives; and Arthur Esene, Prof Martin Uhomoibh, and Osaro Onaiwu.
Caleb Mutfwang, Chairman of the screening panel and Governor of Plateau State, promised aspirants in Abuja on Monday that the party will provide justice to all competitors and reaffirmed the PDP’s resolve to winning the governorship election.
Mutfwang advised the governorship candidates to keep in mind that only one of them will eventually be the opposition party’s candidate.
“I want to assure you that we will give all the support we can to ensure that PDP retains Edo State. Ultimately it is only one person that will emerge. If we believe that it is God that gives power, then it is not today neither is it on the election day that God is going to determine who will govern. He has already determined.
“But we as humans don’t yet know, that is why these processes are ongoing. We appreciate the concerns that you have expressed, putting in place a level playing field, we are going to be strong advocates of that..And ensure that at the end of the day, we have a process that is transparent, a process that is fair. I am a beneficiary of that process. That when all is said and done, we will still work together as one big family, ” the governor stated.
Addressing reporters, Onaiwu emphasized the significance of the PDP implementing a reward system for dedicated party members to enhance the opposition party’s prospects in the upcoming poll.
He said,
“Winning Edo is a priority to the party, winning Edo is a must-win for PDP, we cannot allow Edo to slip to the hands of the APC. I have told everyone to drop their ego and support whoever emerges as the PDP candidate for Edo State as long as the process is free, fair, and transparent.”