By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Jostling for votes as PDP holds Edo Governorship primary
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to conduct its governorship primary in Edo State today, with 10 aspirants vying for the votes of 563 delegates in the indirect primary.
The primary, taking place at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, aims to select the PDP candidate for the upcoming September 21 governorship election in the state.
Among the 10 PDP aspirants are Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu, former Sterling Bank Chairman, Asue Ighodalo, and Blessing Igbinedion, daughter of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom.
The party has released guidelines for the primary, with accreditation of delegates scheduled to begin at 8 am at the Edo Hotel Marque in GRA, Benin City. Delegates will then be conveyed to the primary venue in dedicated buses.
Security measures will be strict, with only designated buses allowed into the venue, and vehicles conveying aspirants dropping them off at the gate.
In a bid to ensure transparency, the party has emphasized that only accredited delegates, invited guests, and aspirants will be permitted into the venue, with journalists and civil society organizations also undergoing accreditation.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has vowed to ensure the smooth conduct of the primary, learning from the recent delegate primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which ended in controversy.
The police spokesman in the state stressed the importance of upholding law and order during party primaries to protect the lives and property of party members.
Edo PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, expressed confidence in the party’s readiness to conduct a fair and credible primary, urging members to uphold decorum for a hitch-free exercise.
PDP Primary, Edo