Edo guber: Ogie emerges as Ighodalo’s running mate

Following the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, announcement of the Secretary to the Edo State Government, SSG, Mr. Osarodion Ogie as the running mate to its Governorship Candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, some All Progressives Congress, APC, members in the state are set to join the PDP.

Insiders said the defectors are citing a crisis in the APC over the emergence of their governorship candidate despite the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the resolution of the issue.

A chieftain of the APC said: “We are glad to work for the PDP with the emergence of Osarodion Ogie because our interest would be protected. We know him, we’ve worked together before and we’re ready to collapse our structures in the APC for him to succeed.

“With what is happening in the APC, we are now left with no other choice but to massively vote and support Osarodion Ogie who has been calm and prudent in his service to the state from Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure till date.”

Okpebholo’s dynasty okays Ighodalo’s candidacy

Meanwhile, the family of philanthropist and cleric, Rev Matthew Okpebholo has thrown its weight behind Ighodalo.

The decision to support Ighodalo was reportedly solidified during Ighodalo’s weekend visit to Bishop Okpebholo, a senior family member.

A prominent family member, Mr. Patrick Okpebholo, communicated the family’s decision to journalists in Benin City where he asserted that Ighodalo was the preferred candidate.

He said that the visit of the PDP candidate to the home of the Bishop was a strategic move by the candidate in consolidating the chances of the party securing victory in the September 21 Edo governorship election.

Okpebholo added that the Patriarch of the Okpebholo family has become a force to reckon with in determining who gets what in Esanland and, to some extent, Edo State, even though he’s not known to belong to any political party.