365NEWS gathered that the Edo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has begged all other aspirants who took part in the just concluded primaries to set aside any sense of personal injury and support his aspiration in the overall interest of the party.
Speaking shortly after receiving his certificate of return from the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagun, and other national officials in Abuja, yesterday, Ighodalo said: “I shall by the grace of God and the support of this party, and the will of the great people of Edo State, when I become governor, run a government that is propelled by the youths, for the youths, and with the youths. I will take their strength and creativity.
“I will take their ability to work hard, their ingenuity and turn Edo into a state that every Nigerian will be proud of. We will turn Edo into a state the PDP will be extremely proud of, that the PDP will always use as a model state in Africa.”
Älso thanking his co-aspirants, especially those who stepped down for him, particularly Omosede Igbinedion, he said: “My other co-aspirants, it’s good to contest, but the contest is over and like I have begged every one of you, I continue begging you, please, let’s come together as one.
“Since my first day in this party, I have been begging you and I will continue begging because it’s critical and extremely critical that Edo State must and shall by the grace God remain a PDP state and that will be made easier if we work together as a team. And we will by the grace of God almighty work together. I will keep on begging, we must unite.
“After contestation, sometimes, people feel hurt. I promise you, this is for all of us, we all will be the governor of Edo State. I will take your advice, we will work together.”
Earlier in his remarks, Damagum urged unity among PDP leaders, aspirants and faithful because “you have a daunting task before you (to ensure Edo remains PDP state). Normally after primaries, there are a lot of disagreements and what have you. So, there is a need to reconcile yourselves.
“I’m urging the candidate to go after your fellow candidates and make them see the reason you must work as a team so that Edo will be an easy ride for us.”
The party had earlier handed its certificate of return to Ighodalo after the National Working Committee, NWC, certified him as the winner of the primaries.
Meanwhile, Ighodalo, yesterday presented the Certificate of return to Governor Godwin Obaseki at Edo House in Abuja. The governor congratulated him and assured him that the PDP would rally the Edo people to ensure that it retains the State.