Adamawa State governor and the chairman PDP Edo State Governorship Campaign Council, Ahmadu Umar Fintiri, has reiterated the determination of his party to secure victory in the Edo State Governorship election slated for September 21, 2024.
Fintiri made the statement during the maiden meeting of his Council which was held at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja on Saturday.
The governor said the court judgement on party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, a temporary setback notwithstanding, he said the party will not be deterred and will appeal the judgement.
Sunday Tribune reports that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on July 4, 2024, voided the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship election in Edo State that produced Ighodalo as its candidate.
The election, which was conducted on February 22, 2024, was voided on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were unlawfully excluded by PDP. Justice Ekwo nullified the primary election while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by the aggrieved delegates.
Fintiri, however said the party is determined to come out victorious during the September poll while asking that all hands must be on deck to propel the party’s candidate to victory. He called on every member of the party, elders in particular, to rally round the candidate saying their experiences and guidance will be needed as the poll approaches.
“Anybody who looks through the entire process (judgment) will know that it’s a child’s play. This is what will not stand in the court of law. Particularly that we will be approaching the Court of Appeal and that shouldn’t deter us, we will put more commitments, more work that we have not intended to do earlier. So that we would put our detractors into shame, and this is what we know how to do best.
“We will not shy away from putting in our best. I will be guided by the experiences of the senior stakeholders here with us. We already know that this assignment is not an easy one. It is tasking and it demands a lot of commitment and seriousness on our part. Our candidate has a lot of credibility with him, he is deliverable, we can make him win if we’re serious. The governor (Obaseki) has worked. He’s visibly on ground in Edo. His track record and pedigree is also enough for us to harvest and use positively to win the election for Edo PDP in this election.
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“Like I said this is not an easy assignment, it requires a lot of sacrifice and commitment on our part. And for us to have accepted this appointment, I know also that we’re ready, we have really agreed to do what is required of us to win the election. We’re all politicians and the only thing we understand in politics is to win an election. That is why there is no second position in any election. You either win or you lose and in this outing, we are out to win.
“Yes, there is a little setback temporarily. God will see us through it. I am referring to the Court judgment three days ago. Anybody, who peruse and look through the entire process will know that it is a child’s play. It demands that we put more work and put or detractors to shame.”
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