The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced on Monday that it will present a Certificate of Return to its Edo State governorship candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, on Tuesday.
News About Nigeria reports that this is coming despite the opposition from the state deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, who also reportedly emerged as a candidate in a parallel primary held on the same day.
Though the statement released by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, was silent about Shaibu’s victory at a parallel primary election, the embattled deputy governor is said to be parading as the party’s flagbearer for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State.
In the statement titled “PDP presents Certificate of Return to its Edo State Governorship Election Candidate, Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo”, Ologunagba revealed that the presentation of certificate of return would be held by noon on Tuesday at the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall, Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja.
The national leadership of the party also commended party members and the various aspirants for their peaceful conduct during the primary election of the party.
The statement partly reads, “Following the successful completion of the Edo State governorship primary election and the ratification of the exercise by the appeal panel, the National Working Committee of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, hereby announces the presentation of the Certificate of Return to Dr Asuerinme Ighodalo, the elected candidate of our party for the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
“The national leadership of the PDP commends all leaders, critical stakeholders, and members of our party in Edo State for the peaceful and successful conduct of our governorship primary election in the state.”
The leadership of the PDP also charged members of the party and other aspirants to come together and support Ighodalo for their continuity in the state.
Speaking further, the National Working Committee of the PDP noted that they are confident that with the chosen candidate (Ighodalo), they would emerge victorious in the September 21 Edo governorship poll.