Stay Resilient, Remain Committed, Asue Ighodalo Tells Edos As Candidate Looks To Victory At Tribunal
By Simeon OSAJIE
Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 Edo gubernatorial election, Barr. Asue Ighodalo, has urged the good people of Edo State to remain resilient and committed, as Party looks to victory at the ongoing Edo election petition tribunal holding in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Ighodalo, who was at yesterday hearing, addressed the press at the conclusion of hearing of petitions; the lawyer, politician and business man reiterated his confidence in the ability of the tribunal to dispense a fair and justiceable judgement; the PDP candidate also spoke on his prospect for Edo State, promising to make the State a first world economy if he becomes governor.
Asue Ighodalo and the PDP are challenging the outcome of the September 21st Edo governorship election; INEC had declared Monday Okpebholo of the APC winner of the controversial poll, an outcome that has been rejected by the PDP and the vast majority of Edo people at home and in the diaspora, who believe that the PDP Candidate, Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, won the election.
Speaking to newsmen, Barr. Ighodalo appreciated the good people of Edo State for keeping faith in the Party despite intimidation and harassment by agents of the Okpebholo-led administration.
According to him, “I want to use this opportunity to truly thank the good people of Edo State; for having come out in massive numbers through the rain, the difficulties to vote for us, and for keeping faith and staying true with us, and for keeping up hope”.
“They have been very calm in the face of intimidation, harassment in the last few months, they have stayed faithful, and they have stayed with us, and they have given strong hope”, the candidate spoke further.”
Going further, Ighodalo while expressing confidence in the judiciary to do the right thing, noted, “we strongly believe that the judiciary will do the right thing as we look forward to the outcome of the tribunal proceedings, and I thank our people and I am hoping that we will continue to stay strong, continue to be strong in hope, and continue to believe that there will be light where ever there is darkness”.
The PDP governorship candidate vowed to tackle poverty in the land, with assurance that his administration will eradicate intimidation, harassment, coercion, suppression and agberoism, which has become indelible landmarks in the Okpebholo-led administration since coming on board November 12, 2024.
Meanwhile, shootings were heard around the court premises, reportedly carried out by one Marvis Osarumwense, a.k.a Ewewan, a known thug with affiliations to the APC; Ewewan, a gun-wielding thug, was seen around the court premises with intent to do arm to innocent Edo citizens; the thug, who is now on the run, was later picked by a Hilux van, reportedly from the Edo State government house.
Adjourning hearing to Friday, January 17, 2025, the legal teams of the Party and candidates are expected to reconvene in continuation of the Edo election petition tribunal, holding in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
