PDP rallies support in Edo, calls for massive turnout ahead of governorship election

Benin City came alive on Saturday as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a grand finale rally ahead of next Saturday’s Edo State governorship election, urging voters to come out in large numbers to ensure continued development under the party’s leadership.

The event, hosted at the Garrick Memorial Center, saw top PDP leaders rallying support for the party’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, with resounding speeches praising the achievements of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the state PDP chairman, set the tone by declaring that only Edo people will decide their leader, asserting, “We will never be intimidated because the blood of our ancestors flows in us.” He described the rally as the “rebirth of PDP,” symbolizing renewed strength in the state.

Ahmadu Fintiri, Governor of Adamawa and Chairman of the Edo 2024 National Campaign Council, assured the Edo PDP family of full support from the national level. “Obaseki has performed well, and you can’t settle for less,” Fintiri emphasized, urging voters to choose Ighodalo to keep Edo on its developmental path.

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Governor Obaseki, reflecting on his tenure, touted his administration’s efforts to combat human trafficking, improve education, and reform the civil service. He framed the upcoming election as an “existential struggle” for Edo’s future, pledging that the state will not regress.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar echoed these sentiments, reminding the crowd of PDP’s resilience in past elections. He challenged voters to protect their ballots, emphasizing, “We did it four years ago, we will do it again.”

The rally was attended by several high-ranking PDP members, including the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, who handed the party’s flag to Ighodalo, calling it a “flag of victory.” Ighodalo, in turn, thanked the people for their support and vowed to build on Obaseki’s legacy, promising to work hard and make the state proud.

With top party officials and 11 governors present, the event underscored PDP’s commitment to securing victory in the election, as speakers called for a peaceful, transparent process and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold electoral integrity.