From Tony Osauzo and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
In what looks like a foretaste of how the battle for the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket will be fought, the Legacy Coalition of the party, yesterday, threw its solidarity behind former member of the House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who declared his governorship ambition at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre in Benin City.
Recall that some members and leaders of the party loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki are queuing behind Asue Ighodalo as their preferred aspirant for the governorship ticket.
The crowd pulling declaration was attended by Edo South Senatorial leaders of the Legacy Coalition members of the PDP, including a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, Hon Charles Idahosa, senatorial leader of the party, Hon Idehen Ebomoyi, Deputy State Chairman of the party, Harrison Omagbon, State Woman Leader of the party, Mrs Tes Sorae, former Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Esosa Amadasun, Mr Marttins Osakue among others.
Speaking at the event, Ogbeide-Ihama promised that if the PDP makes him its candidate, the September election would be a walk over.
“This is a formal notification and a passionate appeal to the leadership of the party to support me for my governorship ambition in the year 2024. There have been speculations and questions if Ogbeide-Ihama is interested in the governorship race or not. I want to formally notify you that I am contesting, and I need your support.
“Since 1998 till now that I have registered as a member of the party, I have remained in the party. I am a loyal member of my party. So, if we are to talk about loyalty, I am the person”, he said.
“If you talk about experience, I have the political and managerial experience to govern Edo. I have the managerial skills to manage humans and resources of Edo. I have the needed human relationship. I want to be governor of Edo and not a senatorial district. I am fully ready. All I need is your prayers. I will be governor of the whole Edo State and not a senatorial district.
“I want to bring development to Edo State. I want to empower our youths so they can stand on their own. I want to stop child mortality. There is no reason anyone above 70 years in Edo should lack healthcare. I want to give good free healthcare to our aged parents. Edo will be a state all of us would be proud of with Ogbeide-Ihama”, he assured.
In his remark, Hon. Charles Idahosa said he supported Obaseki in 2020 and followed him to the PDP to get his second term with the coinage of the word torgba, adding “today, I have come before all of you to say osene (it is his time)”, referring to Ogbeide-Ihama.