Renowned entrepreneur Asue Ighodalo secured victory in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary for Edo State, triumphing over fellow aspirants, including Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, during the election conducted at Benin City’s Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Thursday.
Amassing a total of 577 votes, Ighodalo was declared the ruling party’s gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming September 2024 election by the Chairman of the Edo PDP Primary Electoral Committee, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.
Governor Dauda, serving as the chief returning officer, formally announced Ighodalo’s success and congratulated him alongside co-chairman Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State.Philip Shaibu, one of the contenders, garnered only a single vote in the primary election.
In his acceptance speech, Ighodalo, clad in a white kaftan and accompanied by his wife Ifenyinwa Ighodalo, expressed gratitude to delegates, supporters, and the PDP for their unwavering support.”I am truly humbled,” said Ighodalo. “I thank the good people of Edo State.
In the last four months, I have had the opportunity to connect with them more,” he added.
Acknowledging incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki for establishing a solid foundation, Ighodalo pledged to “give my all” for the betterment of the state.
He emphasized his role as a tool in the process, promising to continue and build upon the progress initiated by Governor Obaseki in Edo State.
Ighodalo’s triumph comes just one month after he entered the race, overcoming challenges, including a parallel poll by a faction within the party that had earlier declared Shaibu as the PDP’s governorship candidate.