*Ighodalo congratulates APC, Labour Candidates, calls for Issue-based campaigns*

*_...⁠says he is in the race to bring prosperity to Edolites, transform Edo from a third world economy to a first world sub-national_*

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate in the forthcoming Edo State Governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, congratulated the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) Senator Monday Okpebholo and Barr. Olumide Akpata on their emergence as flag bearers for their respective Parties; urging them to join him in a commitment to focus on issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2023 Governorship election.

Dr. Ighodalo restated his firm belief that Edo’s strength was the unity of her people; and he appealed to all candidates to refrain from campaigning with messages that promote division and disunity. “The February 2023 general elections saw a level of hate and vitriol masked as political sloganeering that took this nation to the brink; and the fires politicians lit back then continued to smoulder across the nation.

“I and my team will continue to campaign to the people of Edo State in language and behaviour that seeks to unite rather than divide. We will stay focused on the issues that matter to our people; and there will be no descent into abuse, ethnic-baiting and name-calling. We must not destroy the unity of the State we seek to govern. I therefore urge all my fellow candidates to similarly run respectful issue-based campaigns.” he said.

Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who expressed concern over the level of economic hardship people were going through, stated that he and his team of young professionals and politicians have identified a pathway to the lifting of millions of citizens into prosperity.

“We intend to open up the state by reducing insecurity, and by securing the financing and attracting the private sector investors needed to build our intrastate roads; I, working with my team, will grow the economy of the state, create jobs, and provide a better life for our people.”

Dr. Ighodalo emerged as the winner of the PDP Governorship primaries conducted at the lawn tennis court inside the Ogbe Stadium sports complex, on Thursday the 22nd of February, 2024.