NAIJA NEWS
In what is shaping up to be a highly competitive political battle, no less than 62 aspirants from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party (LP) are vying for their party’s governorship tickets in Edo State.
This intense political activity comes as parties prepare for their primaries next month, ahead of the gubernatorial election set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for September 21.
The candidates are eyeing the seat currently held by Governor Godwin Obaseki of the PDP, who is set to complete his second term on November 12, 2024.
The crowded field of aspirants includes 32 from the Labour Party, 19 from the APC, and 11 from the PDP. Notably, the lineup features three women and a majority hailing from the Edo Central Senatorial Zone, highlighting the diversity of the contenders.
Among the notable aspirants from the PDP are Comrade Philip Shaibu, the current Deputy Governor, alongside Mr. Asue Ighodalo, John Yakubu, and Anslem Ojezua.
See the list of the candidates below:
Shaibu
He hails from Jattu, Uzaiure in Etsako West Local Government Area and Edo North Senatorial District. He says he is the most experienced to take over from Obaseki and that in the history of the PDP, the governorship ticket has never been given to anybody from Edo North.
Ighodalo
He is from Ewohimi in Esan South-East Local Government Area. He is from Edo Central Senatorial district and says he has been in government as a member of the Economic Team since 2008 when Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was governor of the State.
Yakubu
John Yakubu is said to be one of the most grassrooted of the PDP aspirants having been the local government chairman of Esan North-East. He hails from Uromi in Edo Central. He cites his performance as local government chairman a reference point of his capacity to deliver.
Ojezua
A native of Eidenu in Irrua, Esan Central LGA, he was Edo State chairman of the APC before he defected with Obaseki to the PDP. He says he is the stabilizer and a bridge between technocrats and politicians and that he has the experience and capacity to bring all the warring factions in the PDP together and win the election for the party.
Agba
Some of the aspirants in the opposition APC include Prince Clem Agba who is from Uzanu in Etsako East LGA, Edo North Senatorial District. He was commissioner during the eight years of Governor Oshiomhole and was later appointed as Minister…
