By Kolawole Ojebisi
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the last election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has reacted to the recent shooting incident outside the venue of the governorship tribunal for the September 2024 governorship poll .
Mr Ighodalo, has said the party will not allow violence and other forms of harassment make it lose sight of its goal.
Ighodalo said this while reacting to the shooting incident that happened outside the venue of the tribunal set up to address grievances from the September 21, 2024 governorship polls.
The New Diplomat had reported how the tribunal proceedings were momentarily disrupted on Wednesday.
This was as a masked individual, alleged to have disguised as a PDP member by the opposition party, shot sporadically near the premises of the election tribunal in Benin City.
This incident spent shivers down the spine of those present at the tribunal session.
The gunman, who fled the scene, was caught on video widely circulated on social media.
While speaking to reporters on the incident, Ighodalo addressed supporters’ concerns while condemning acts of intimidation aimed at disrupting the legal process.
“These acts of violence and harassment are deliberate distractions meant to make us take our eyes off the ball,” Ighodalo said.
“We strongly believe that the judiciary will do the right thing, and we’re looking forward to the outcome of the tribunal.
“Our focus remains reclaiming our mandate and working positively for the good people of Edo State. We will take poverty out of our land, eliminate fear and intimidation, and unlock the great potential of this state.”
Ighodalo praised Edo citizens for their steadfastness over the last three months.
“I want to thank the good people of Edo State for coming out in massive numbers to vote for us on September 21 and for keeping faith through the difficulties,” he said.
“They’ve stayed calm in the face of intimidation and harassment, living on the strong hope that our efforts to reclaim our mandate will be successful.
“There are many distractions being thrown our way, but we will not be deterred. Our goal remains ensuring that we go through this tribunal process and hopefully emerge with the mandate the people of Edo State gave my deputy Osarodion Ogie and myself.
“We will take Edo State to the next level. By God’s grace, we will remove poverty, eliminate intimidation, and make our people happy.
“We urge our people to stay strong and prayerful. By the grace of God, we will reclaim our mandate and deliver the change that Edo State deserves.”
