In a recent statement, the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State dismissed allegations made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) concerning plans to rig the upcoming September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election. Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, does not require “surreptitious means” to win the election, according to the campaign’s Deputy Director General, Rev. Olu Martins.
The press release criticized a statement by Kassim Afegbua, a spokesperson for the APC, which claimed that the state government was planning to manipulate the election in favor of Dr. Ighodalo. Rev. Martins labeled the allegation as another instance of the APC’s “well-developed penchant for lies and falsehood.” He went on to describe Afegbua as a “nomadic, serial defector, contractor spokesperson,” suggesting that his campaign style was outdated and misleading.
The press release read in part;
“Dr Asue Ighodalo Does not Require Surreptitious Means To Win the September 21st 2024 gubernatorial election. Edo people are intelligent and observant enough to distinguish between a thoroughbred and a wannabe candidate.
“It seems the APC is already developing cold feet for the coming elections billed for next month. I read a rather boring write up which reeks of a worn out methodology by the nomadic, serial defector, contractor spokesperson of the APC where he claimed that plans were underway by the State Government to rig election for our candidate, the very ebullient and cerebral Dr Asue Ighodalo.
“Knowing APC for its well developed penchant for lies and falsehood it would not have been necessary to respond to Kassim Afegbua’s anachronistic style of campaign of calumny but for those who may not know Kassim Afegbua it is necessary to put the record straight.
“Dr Asue Ighodalo does not need any introduction to the Nigerian people especially Nigerians who appreciate hard work and ingenuity (attributes that are strange to the APC).”
Highlighting Dr. Ighodalo’s credentials, the PDP campaign further emphasized his reputation as an accomplished lawyer, international award-winning entrepreneur, and former chairman of several multinational organizations, including Sterling Bank, Dangote Flour, and Nigerian Breweries. They pointed to his extensive engagement with the people of Edo State and his record of “brilliant and lofty ideas of governance” as evidence that he is the most “intellectually engaging candidate” in the race.
”Dr Asue Ighodalo is the international award winning serial entrepreneur and investment banker who has held sway as chairman of several multinationals and organizations. He was chairman of Sterling Bank, Dangote Flour, and Nigerian Breweries just to mention a few.
“Dr Asue Ighodalo is the candidate of the PDP who has transversed the length and breath of Edo State while espousing the most brilliant and lofty ideas of governance and leadership. These ideas continue to resonate with the three Senatorial Districts of Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North.
“Dr Asue Ighodalo has been the most intellectually engaging candidate in the race to Osadebey Avenue as his media and live engagements continue to stimulate the minds and consciences of the Edo voting population. The Edo people have not seen that kind of content and issue based engagements ever as they continue to flock around him in large number anytime he calls or goes for such engagement.
“Unlike the APC candidate who dodges any engagement that requires the critical use of this mental ability. He won’t appear on television or participate in any debate. Even when he has to speak at rallies someone has to whisper bullet points (“chukuli”) to him and even at that he still would be incoherent in his postulation.
“Clearly the embarrassment that the lackluster candidate of APC causes anytime he opens his mouth is already affecting their spokesperson Kassim Afegbua who can represent an imbecile to lead well rounded people as long as the pay is good. This is why Kassim is hallucinating in the wake of an obvious defeat which awaits his candidate and his party come September 21st 2024.”
Rev. Martins concluded that Dr. Ighodalo, like a Rolls Royce, does not require excessive promotion to win the hearts of the Edo electorate.
“Like the Rolls Royce car that doesn’t need advertising Dr Asue Ighodalo is a global brand that does not require to be clandestinely brought into Osadebey Avenue through the backdoor. Dr Asue Ighodalo and Barr Osarodion Ogie stand tall in this race and the Edo people are eager to deal a blow to the barely educated candidate of the APC and his diminutive, vitierative elder Spokesperson Adams Oshiomole.”