Two political bigwigs of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Friday Itulah and Hon. Kenneth Ahbulimen, have bowed out of the 2024 governorship race in the state.
The duo have declared their support for Asue Ighodalo, the immediate past Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc.
The two disclosed their decision at a meeting of the PDP’s Special Committee for Edo Agenda for a Governor of Esan extraction while emphasizing the importance of party unity to secure victory in the forthcoming election, according to Tribune.
The duo admitted that the decision was in the spirit of patriotism, putting the interest of Esan people and Edo people ahead of their personal interests. They believe that Ighodalo is the most competent aspirant.
Recall that PDP leaders, on November 13, 2023, during a meeting with Edo Central leaders and stakeholders, resolved that the party’s ticket should come to Edo Central senatorial district.
Among the leaders at the November meeting were the PDP state chairman, Hon Tony Aziegbemi, Archbishop Anthony Okosun, Barr. Luckson Ogedegbe, and Hon Joe Edionwele, former member of the House of Reps, among other members. The meeting was held at the residence of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi.
After intensive deliberations, they resolved in a communique that, “…the special committee is the body that will work out the structure and procedures that will drive the Edo agenda for a governor of Esan extraction in 2024.
“The committee is to appeal to other Senatorial districts to allow Edo Central Senatorial District to produce the next governor of the state for the purpose of fairness, justice, and equity, for which Edo people are known.”
The recent endorsements followed Ighodalo’s endorsement in Esan North East LG last week by the 55 ward executive members of the PDP at the residence of Chief Tony Anenih.
The Chief Ikimi-led PDP special committee aims to unite the ambitions of the senatorial district by pruning down the remaining governorship aspirants in Edo Central to one ‘consensus’ candidate on Saturday, January 6, 2024.