Nominate Ogie as Ighodalo’s running mate – Esan group urges PDP

The Esan Democratic Movement (EDM), a socio-political organization, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo to zero its nomination of running mate to Asue Ighodalo on Osarodion Ogie as the Party prepares for the campaigns ahead the September 21 Edo governorship poll.

EDM notes that Ogie’s benevolence transcends the shores of Edo South, a trait now greatly desired to unite the structures of the State; “Barr. Osarodion Ogie has paved way for the dramatic political acceleration of many youngsters in Edo, his influence and strategic input is one factor that has kept the PDP together today, considering the many internal battles the Party has fought, Ogie has remained a formidable bridge defending, protecting and preserving the structures of Party and State”, he is the best material to pair with Asue Ighodalo as we march on, a representative of the group noted at a recent engagement.

The group also notes the many political sacrifices and concessions Ogie has made to keep the Party and State together; “we are also not unaware of a number of political sacrifices Osarodion Ogie has made to pacify individuals and groups across the State; on occasions, Ogie has had to shelve personal ambitions to balance political equations, a trait not very common amongst contemporary politicians.”

“Once again, we commend the PDP for yielding to the voice of the people by taking its governorship ticket to Edo Central; EDM was one of the prominent voices that championed equity and fairness; while that has been achieved, we are now faced with another major struggle, and considering the frontline role Ogie played in that regards and continue to play in Edo, it is only ideal to zero the deputy governorship ticket around him”, Igenegbale spoke on behalf of the group.

Osarodion Ogie, a lawyer, astute politician of noble character, remains an essential commodity in Edo, his face on the ballot means victory, not just victory, major victory for the PDP; Ogie is one of the most successful and brilliant politicians in Edo today, he has kept his Ikpoba-Okha and Edo South together and continue to produce excellent results at every poll.

Speaking further, Oseyele, a member of Esan Democratic Movement, notes that Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie shares progressive commonalities, dating back to the days of Oshiomhole, when in 2008, the duo played policy role in the Edo Economic Team as Member and Vice Chairman respectively; furthermore, the Team which later metamorphosed into the Alaghodaro Economic Summit has also had the Ighodalo-Ogie playing the roles of Chairman and Secretary respectively, with these and several other submissions on the frontburner, Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie has bankable understanding of Edo’s economic potentialities and will be able to cross-fertilize ideas to solidify Edo’s capital base.

Wheras we welcome stakeholders who have signified interest in the deputy governorship race; we do however advise the need for popular support for Osarodion Ogie whose influence and political ingenuity has in one way or the other impacted their political growth; we recall situations where Osarodion Ogie directed leaders of local government areas to rally behind nominees whose nominations were threatened by their own communities, many of the political interventions Osarodion Ogie has made statewide.

We strongly believe that these stakeholders will throw their weight behind the Ighodalo-Ogie ticket when, God-willing, the PDP announces Osarodion Ogie as the deputy governorship candidate for the Edo2024 gubernatorial election in the coming days.

We do appreciate the multisectoral reforms the Obaseki-led administration has instituted, the education, health, civil and public service reforms, particularly, are achievements the incoming administration must sustain and improve on, while Asue Ighodalo considering his impressive outing in the private sector, Osarodion Ogie possesses the political rapprochement to drive improved policies; the duo poses as the best and most formidable team needed to drive the new Edo project.

To this end, we wish to add our voice to the thousands of voices now sounding from across various corners of the State for the nomination and subsequent announcement of the consummate politician and seasoned administrator, Osarodion Ogie, as we set to roll out our machines to campaign for the PDP ahead the all-important Edo guber poll.