The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has declared Asue Ighodalo as the winner of the governorship primary election.
Ighodalo, on Thursday, defeated about nine other candidates including the Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu in the election, who had already been declared winner in a factional poll.
He polled a total vote of 577 votes to become the candidate of the PDP in the September 21 governorship election in the state, while his closest rival garnered one vote.
The Chairman of the Edo PDP Primary Electoral Committee and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State declared him as the winner of the exercise today.
A total of 10 aspirants had contested for the ticket. Some of the aspirants, including Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Barrister Omosede Igbinedion, withdrew participation in the election.
Other aspirants include Arthur Esele, Anselm Ojezua, Omosede Igbinedion, Osaro Onaiwu, Martins Uhomoibhi, Hadizat Umoru, Felix Akhabue, and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.
While Ogbeide-Ihama blamed irregularities and corrupted processes by the national working committee of the party for his withdrawal from the race, Omosede Igbinedion stepped down for Asue Ighodalo.
Recall that Philip Shaibu was declared winner in the organised parallel election at another venue with 301 votes.
Ighodalo expressed his gratitude to Godwin Obaseki, the state governor, and the people of the state for their love and support during his acceptance speech.
To turn the state around, he pledged to gather young men and women for his government.
He remarked, “I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Edo State for their support, and in particular to Governor Godwin Obaseki for his belief in me.
“Governor Obaseki has laid the foundation for me to build upon. If I am eventually voted as governor of the state, I will assemble young men and women that are capable of turning the fortunes of the state around.”
