Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Dr. Asue Ighodalo, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the Edo Central Senatorial District, may be sailing home as a sole candidate from the district to make the job of the Screening Committee headed by Chief Tom Ikimi less cumbersome.
This is because key aspirants for the governorship slot from the district have decided to drop their ambitions to support Ighodalo.
They include former Speaker and member of the House of Representatives, representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency, Hon. Marcus Onobun, Senator Clifford Ordia, ex-Speaker Friday Itulah and Kenneth Ahbulimen, who have all declared support for Asue Ighodalo, citing patriotism and the interest of Esan and Edo people for their decisions.
Onobun, had in a letter to the Screening Committee, endorsed Ighodalo, even as he lamented his inability to attend the screening of aspirants of Esan extraction as a result of the funeral ceremony of his grandfather, Pa Iregbeyen Onobun.
He explained that his decision to step down and collapse his structure for Dr. Asue Ighodalo followed due consultation and in the spirit of sportsmanship and respect for leaders of Esan land.
He described Asue Ighodalo as a credible, competent and qualified aspirant and pledged to work tirelessly to ensure the emergence of an Esan man as the next governor of Edo State
“I have done consultation across the state, and in the spirit of sportsmanship and respect for our leaders, I wish to suspend my aspiration for Edo governorship 2024 and support my brother, Barr. Asue Ighodalo.
“It is my desire to see an Esan man become Edo governor in 2024. And I pledge my commitment to take a front seat in this struggle. God bless my leader and the Edo Central Special Committee,” Onobun said.