Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edo State chapter, Hon. Friday Itulah, has appealed to all governorship aspirants from Edo Central to bury their ambition for Asue Ighodalo to emerge the sole aspirant from the region despite being eminently qualified.
He made the appeal on a letter titled “My Igueben Declaration” and made available to the Truth Live News Media in Benin City.
The political colossus who has seen it all in politics, said he is basing his premises on the leadership acumen of Asuelimen whose name has been abridged to Asue for easy pronunciation.
Itulah said Asue has been the engine that has driven two successive governments (Adams Oshiomhole and the current Godwin Obaseki) whose results are visible everywhere just as he said he has been able to unite the party within a short while, thus making him more favourable for the governorship position.
The powerful and punchy statement made available to Truth Live Media read thus
“It will be recalled that since the commencement of the current Governor Godwin Obaseki 2nd term administration, the agitation for his successor to come from Edo Central Senatorial district has been very high.
“This is rightly so as Edo Central Senatorial District has not been at Dennis Osadebe Avenue since this 4th Republic.
“For Justice, Equity, Fairness and the Unity of the State, every person that desires the well being and unity of the state should support an Edo Governor of Esan extraction to succeed the current Governor when his tenure comes to an end by effluxion of time September, 2024.
“To be able to achieve this, the Aspirants from Edo Central should unite together to present a common front.
“As the saying goes, “a house divided against itself cannot stand”.
” There is no Aspirant from Edo Central who is not eminently qualified to become the governor of the state.
“Given the opportunity to address the issue, we will always see ourselves as the most qualified.
“Xenophanes (560 BC — 478 BC) a Greek Philosopher and Theologian in one of his writings said: If an OX were to have hands and fingers like man and it is given a pencil to draw god, it will draw an OX.
“We must therefore look at the bigger picture, the bigger Esan interest, the future implication for us, if we fail to clinch the governorship position at this auspicious time by making sacrifices. No matter how qualified we are, it can only be one person for the position.
“Convinced by this realisation, and after much consultations, I have resolved to ALIGN with the aspiration of Dr. Asuelime lghodalo an eminent Esan man for the position of the Governor of Edo State, 2024.
“Asuelimen lghodalo, we will all agree has been able to unite the party within this little space of time that he has come to the scene.
“Asuelimen lghodalo has demonstrated that he can carry everybody along. He also comes from a rich political background and has been successful in all his endeavour.
“Being at the Driver’s seat in the state craft will not be strange to him.
“I wish to use this opportunity to appeal to my other brother Aspirants to properly consider the greater Esan interest and align similarly with Asuen Ighodalo”, .
Also confirming his alignment with Ighodalo in a telephone chat with Truth Live News Correspondent from London, the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and a two-time member representing Esan Northeast/Esan Southeast constituency opined that the story going about that he stepped down for the top aspirant is unnecessary.
“All you said is that, he is most qualified, I’m aligning with his aspiration and I urged others from Edo Central to also align with the Asue Ighodalo also known as AI aspiration.
“So, I don’t understand where the story of stepping down is emanating from.
“By the way, stepping down from where? The constitutional lawyer asked rhetorically.