Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the September governorship election in Edo State.
Recall Ighodalo recently won the PDP governorship ticket at a primary election conducted by the party, defeating Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and other contestants.
He has since been issued with the certificate of return by the party even though Shaibu is not okay with the outcome of the Edo PDP primary election.
In a statement on Saturday, Atiku pleaded with Shaibu and all other aspirants to reconcile and negotiate to make sure that Edo remains a PDP state.
Atiku, who himself is the presidential flag bearer of the PDP in the 2023 general election, described Ighodalo as a thorough bred technocrat and a brilliant mind.
The former VP in the statement stressed the choice of Ighodalo is not in dispute that it is a good one.
The statement reads: “The election of a thorough bred technocrat by the PDP as the party’s candidate in Edo State signposts the urgency that the PDP gives to ensuring that the next governor of Edo State is a round peg in a round hole.
“The PDP leadership and members in Edo State must be congratulated also, for an amazing primary election that produced the quality of candidate to fly the flag of our party in the upcoming election.
“The party has made a choice, and it is not in dispute that the choice is a good one.
“It is, therefore, on this note that I plead with all other aspirants and aggrieved stakeholders to reconcile and negotiate to make sure that Edo remains a PDP state.
“Dr Ighodalo, apart from being a brilliant mind, in whose hands the affairs of Edo State will steer on stable waters, is also a fine gentleman.
“I believe that our candidate has what it takes to bring everyone willing to work for the interest of the PDP under the huge umbrella of our party”.
