The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate in the forthcoming Edo governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, on Monday, called for commitment to focus on issue-based campaigns ahead of the September  election.

 

This was even as he congratulated the governorship candidates of the APC and LP on their emergence as flag bearers for their respective parties

 

Senator Monday Okpebholo and Barr. Olumide Akpata will fly the flag of the APC and LP, respectively.

 

Ighodalo restated his firm belief that Edo’s strength was the unity of its people.

 

He appealed to all the candidates to refrain from campaigning with messages that promote division and disunity.

 

“The February 2023 general elections saw a level of hatred and vitriol masked as political sloganeering that took this nation to the brink and the fires politicians lit back then continued to smoulder across the nation.

 

“I and my team will continue to campaign to the people of Edo state in the language and behaviour that seek to unite rather than divide.

 

“We will stay focused on the issues that matter to our people and there will be no descent into abuse, ethnic-baiting and name-calling.

 

“We must not destroy the unity of the state we seek to govern, I therefore urge all my fellow candidates to similarly run respectful issue-based campaigns,” he said.

 

Ighodalo, expressing concern about the significant economic hardships people are facing, has outlined a pathway to prosperity for his community.

 

He also pledged to address insecurity, secure financing, and attract private sector investors to develop intrastate roads, with the aim of opening up the state for growth and development.

 

“Working with my team, we will grow the economy of the state, create jobs, and provide a better life for our people.”

 

Ighodalo emerged as the winner of the PDP governorship primary conducted at the tennis court of the Ogbe Stadium on February 22, 2024.