How Edo election’ll be fought, by PDP candidate

THE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Maj-Gen Charles Airhiavbere, has spoken of how the July 14 election will be fought. 

He, Chief Tony Anenih,  Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the PDP will be in the ring.

Airhiavbere said his endorsement by traditional rulers in Edo Central was an indication of what would happen on July 14.

He spoke after PDP members in Edo South held a meeting at the residence of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia in Benin City.

According to him,  “the election is among me,  Anenih ,  Oshiomhole and PDP. 

“I don’t believe in ethnic politics that seems to be what the  Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) stands for. 

“You can see the emotions involved and now the Edo South PDP leaders have endorsed me.“

The communique issued at the end of the meeting said PDP leaders have accepted the candidature of Airhiavbere.

The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANNP) in the state has slammed an indefinite suspension on its former vice- presidential candidate, John Odigie-Oyegun for alleged anti-party activities.

This was contained in a statement by the Chairman, Stephen Aimufia and five  executive members of the party.

They said they were disappointed at a statement credited to Odigie-Oyegun that  Oshiomhole had performed well to merit a second term.

The officials said the statements do not represent the thinking and aspiration of the party.

According to the statement, “they were the personal views of the former governor. 

“We hereby reiterate that Solomon Edebiri remains the governorship candidate of the ANPP in the July 14 election.”

But Odigie- Oyegun described the action as of no consequence.

According to him, “they have been trading with the party and they can go on. 

“They have no disciplinary rights over me and I have rights to air my personal views. I wish them luck.”

But the Labour Party has rejected Edebiri as its candidate.

A coalition of seven parties, including a faction of the LP, adopted Edebiri as its consensus candidate.

LP Chairman Sam Omede said the party has not adopted any candidate.

Omede said Edebiri was adopted by a faction of the party against directives of the party’s national body that the NLC state chairman, Emma Ademokun, should reconcile warring factions.

According to him, “Edebiri is not our candidate, if he wants to run under Labour Party let him come and discuss with us. 

“We don’t just adopt candidates in Labour Party, they have to go through the stipulated rules and regulation of the party.”