By Isaac Akerele
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to present a Certificate of Return to its Edo State Governorship Candidate, Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo on Tuesday, sidelining Edo deputy governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, who claims to be the real candidate of the PDP governorship election.
In a statement to this effect by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall, Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat.
The statement entitled “PDP presents Certificate of Return to its Edo State Governorship Election Candidate, Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo” commended leaders and stakeholders of the Party for the peaceful and successful conduct of the governorship primary election in the state, but said nothing regarding the state’s deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, who also emerged winner in a parallel primary held on the same day.
Shaibu had been declared winner of a factional governorship primary election which was held, according to reports, at his residence in Benin City, on Thursday. Mr. Asue Ighodalo was equally declared the winner of the primary election
Mr. Shaibu had maintained that he won the primary elections, claiming that the election that produced Ighodalo was marred by irregularities, further fueling the dissents
Following the Official statement by the PDP, Mr. Ighodalo is set to receive a certificate of return on Tuesday, ahead of the Governorship elections, in September, 2024.