Edo: Obaseki’s SSG picked as Ighodalo’s running mate

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has picked the current Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Ogie is an appointee of Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is believed to be backing Ighodalo.

A top PDP chieftain, who confirmed Ogie’s choice to Punch on Tuesday, said it was believed that the SSG would give the party a chance of winning the September 21 governorship election in the state.

He stated that the party consulted widely before settling for the SSG who has been a loyal party man and a grassroots mobiliser.

 “I can confirm to you that Ogie is Ighodalo’s running mate. He has filed the form in Abuja and he has the capacity to boost the party’s chances of winning the election.

“He is a grassroots mobiliser and he will bring his several years of experience in politics to bear. The party consulted widely and he was chosen to be the running mate,” the party chieftain said.

The development was also confirmed in Abuja by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

Ologunagba said, “Yes, we now have a running mate, that is the deputy governorship candidate to the PDP Edo State governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo. He is the current Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie.

“And we are confident of victory with our candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie. Our deputy governorship candidate will be officially unveil at a later date.”

Last month, Ighodalo, a former Chairman of Sterling Bank, emerged as the PDP governorship candidate in Edo.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Reconciliation Committee, led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has yet to convene any meeting with Edo State Governor, Obaseki, Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, aspirants, and other dissatisfied party members.

The party ran into a crisis during the governorship primary, with Shaibu declaring himself as a parallel governorship candidate.

As a result, the PDP appointed the Bauchi State Governor and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Emmanuel Enoidem, as Chairman and Secretary, respectively, of an 11-member committee tasked with reconciling all discontented members ahead of the September 21 Edo State governorship election.

A source, who is a member of the committee, disclosed on Tuesday, that the committee had not yet held any physical meetings with the aggrieved party members in Edo.

The source, who requested anonymity, stated, “I am aware they have been contacted via phone conversations. But I can confirm to you that we have not met with any of the aspirants physically. We need to meet all stakeholders, aspirants, and others in person to resolve the crisis.”