Ahead of the September governorship election in Edo State, Leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akoko Edo have held a strategic meeting aimed at galvanizing support for the party’s candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo.

The meeting which held on Friday, April 12, 2024 in the state capital, Benin City and hosted by Senator Odion Ugbesia, a former Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Minister for Solid Minerals, was led by Chief Olu Fashanu, deliberated extensively on how to ensure total victory for the party candidate and also mapped out other campaign plans in Akoko-Edo.

A source familiar with the meeting confided in our correspondent that in his opening address, the convener, Chief Olu Fashanu, thanked the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and expressed the gratitude and satisfaction of the Akoko-Edo PDP in the choice of Engr. Omobayo Marvelous Godwins as the new Deputy Governor of Edo State.

He was said to have rendered unreserved apology on behalf of Barrister Tajudeen Alade, Executive Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area; Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, former Speaker EDHA; Hon. Segun Saiki, Senatorial Leader; Pastor Bayo Ogedengbe and Barrister Emmanuel Agbaje who were unavoidably absent due to the new Deputy Governor, Engr. Omobayo Marvellous Godwins’ official visit to Akoko-Edo.

Fashanu said he gathered the leaders of thought to productively engage and interact with Dr. Asue Ighodalo to ensure his total electoral victory through maximizing the potentials of the party’s structure for the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

Using the SWOT ( Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, Fashanu meticulously highlighted the party’s commanding political structure and willing electorate empathy. These goodwill and opportunities, he advised, necessitated the need to proactively build and develop strong campaign teams with experienced political leadership at Ward levels in Akoko-Edo and beyond. This, he pointed out, would neutralize voters intimidation being orchestrated by the so-called ‘Federal Might’.

In his address, Dr. Ighodalo thanked and commended the party leaders for the honest analytical report and suggestions on ways and means of moving the party forward and resolving other internal issues.

Ighodalo, who urged the leaders not to rest on their oars, was quoted as saying that, “PDP is the only party that can rescue this nation because, we have capable members with the right vision, focus and patriotic zeal to reposition Nigeria.”

Speaking further, he said “PDP remains the only party since 1999 that is still standing, while other parties have since either collapsed, fragmented or became amalgamation of strange,odd and unhealthy bedfellows, a contraption of complicated forced union.”

Ighodalo advised in strong terms the need for the party to close ranks and strategize to permanently defeat Nigeria’s development nemesis. Ighodalo said that verifiable available data showed that PDP is far ahead of other parties and assured: “the Party’s campaign structure will soon be unveiled”

He strongly advised that square pegs be put in square holes to guarantee total electoral victory and warned that sentiments should not be the basis for Party appointments. The PDP governorship candidate also emphasized the need to accommodate women and the youth in the campaign structure, including the Obedient Movement.

Among those who attended the very important strategic meeting are Mr. Ademola Shaibu-Ekha, retired Director of Local Government Administration; Hon. J.B Agbogun, former Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki; Prince Kayode Ogunubi, LGA Chairman of PDP; Elder Olu Dania, National Delegate; Ambassador Dele Idaomi, Chief Sunny Okomayin, former PDP Senatorial Chairman; Hon. Jeffrey Obasanmi, Former Liaison Officer of Akoko-Edo LGA; Hon. Solomon Taiwo, Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and Hon. Topa Okomayin, former Security Adviser to Akoko-Edo Local Government Chairman and former LGA Youth Leader.