A lawyer based in Lagos and former chairman of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo, has announced his candidacy for the governorship race in Edo State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship election for September 21.
Asue Ighodalo officially declared his intention to run for the position on Wednesday in Benin City, highlighting his achievements in the legal profession.
Ighodalo, a former Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, is reportedly supported by the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, who has reached his constitutional two-term limit.
Ighodalo hails from Ewohimi in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo Central District, a region where Governor Obaseki envisions a shift in political power.
Last Thursday, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo Central District endorsed Asue Ighodalo as their preferred gubernatorial aspirant in anticipation of the party primary.
This decision was made during the Edo Central PDP caucus meeting held in Uromi on Thursday.
Following the meeting, the ruling party released a statement co-signed by its Chairman, Archbishop Anthony Okosun; Secretary, Luckson Ogedegbe; and Legal Adviser, Barrister Paul Itua.