Asue Ighodalo, a well-known businessman, has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary for Edo State, defeating other candidates including Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu in an election held in Benin City on Thursday.
In the exercise at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Edo State’s capital, Ighodalo received 577 votes to become the state ruling party’s governorship candidate in the September 2024 election.
The Chairman of the Edo PDP Primary Electoral Committee and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal pronounced the financial and legal expert the winner of the election.
“I, therefore, declare Asuelimen Ighodalo the winner of this concluded primary today with a total vote of 577. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,” Governor Dauda who is the chief returning officer for the election said.
“Therefore, I hereby return him elected as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming election in Edo State. My brother, congratulations,” the governor flanked by his Delta State counterpart and co-chairman of the election committee Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said.
Shaibu polled just a vote in the election.
‘I Will Be A Good Tool’
In his acceptance speech, Ighodalo who was dressed in a white kaftan and flanked by his wife Ifeyinwa Ighodalo thanked delegates, supporters, and the PDP for their backing.
“I am actually, totally humbled,” Ighodalo said. “I thank the good people of Edo State. In the last four months, I have got to meet them more,” he added.
Ighodalo also praised incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki for laying a good foundation, promising to “give my all” for the state.
“I am only a tool in this process and I promise you all I will be a good tool. By the grace of God, Edo State will move from where Governor Obaseki stopped,” the lawyer who hails from Okaigben, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of the state said.
Ighodalo’s victory comes one month after he threw himself into the ring for the race. Before his emergence, a group in the party had declared Shaibu as the governorship candidate of the PDP in a parallel poll.