Edo 2024: APC relying on external influence to win, says PDP

By Jethro Ibileke

The Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in the 21 September governorship election in Edo State, Mr. Matthew Iduoriyemkewen, has warned that no party should depend on external influences to win the election.

The is even as he noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC), is distracting members of the public with a court judgement.

He stated this on Tuesday in Benin during a solidarity march for the candidate of the party, Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie.

Speaking on a recent judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja which nullified the 22 February election of the PDP, the Iduoriyekemwen said that the judgement would not stand.

While noting that President Bola Tinubu had always been at the forefront of the fight for democracy in Nigeria, stressed that no party in the state should count on any external influence to win the election.

He therefore called on the people of the state to remain committed and vote for the party’s candidate, come September 21.

Also speaking, the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who was accompanied by his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, urged the people to support the PDP to win the election.

He said: “By the grace of God, by September, when you people would have voted for me and Ogie, more upward movement will come.

“I want you to remain strong. I want you to remain happy; don’t be afraid of anything. God is in control. Everybody should get their PVCs.

“We will vote for PDP to ensure that the votes are counted and we will follow it to the collation centre until we are announced the winner and the state will continue to prosper,” he added.

One of the leaders of the support group, Austin Osakue, urged the party faithful not to be distracted by lies nor surrender to their antics.

“My message is that to win an election, you must cast votes, as we know Asue, that is how we know Osarodion Ogie, a man of humility. When a man is humble, even God will fetch firewood for him.

“This election, nobody must intimidate us. If they like, let them be carrying court ruling around. You have all heard that there is nothing in that court ruling.

“Instead of them to be campaigning, they are celebrating. With our voters card, we will punish them,” he said.

Other notable members of the party at the solidarity rally included the Deputy Director, Media and Publicity, Rev Olu Martins, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku.