PDP faction candidate picks female running mate
Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
A former Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Mr. Osaro Onaiwu, has picked the governorship ticket of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Edo State.
This came as Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state under the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party, picked the former National Woman leader of the PDP, Herbetta Okonofua, as his running mate for the September 10 governorship election in the state.
Onaiwu’s emerged as the APGA candidate after polling 372 votes.
It would be recalled that Onaiwu who was one of the governorship aspirants of the PDP, pulled out from the party race few weeks to the primaries, after he alleged plans to rig the primaries in favour of one of the aspirants.
Speaking with journalists shortly after emerging as APGA candidate, the former Director General, PDP Governors’ Forum, promised to kick off his campaigns next week, saying, “I am willing to serve my people and we have come up with our four pillars, which is security, trade and commerce, agriculture and industrialisation. Once we are able to achieve those four, then we are home and dry.
“Dangote has come to Edo State to invest because Edo is peaceful, we will improve on what the incumbent governor has done so that we will accelerate development to our people.”
Asked why he left the PDP before the primaries of the party, Onaiwu narrated: “The party leaders were not serious. They lie every day of their lives. For me I have taken my vision to another party that I believe where they will celebrate my vision not a fraudulent party. I have moved on, I have no scandal but we know that one of the PDP candidates have been visiting the EFCC.
“APGA will take over the state, it is a new dawn, I don’t have a god father, God is my god father. If you look at the candidates of the two other political parties they have a god father but God is my god father. I will lead my people where there is milk and honey” he stated.
Meanwhile, Okonofua is from the Central senatorial district of the state, the area where Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu who emerged as the candidate of the Armed Makarfi faction of PDP also picked his running mate from.
Iduoriyekemwen who unveiled his running mate to journalists yesterday, in Benin City said “I promise to ensure women empowerment and if you look at Herbatta, she has always been a PDP leader, she has held several positions both in the state and the Federal and I a glad she will represent the women folk in our government.”
Asked whether the recent court ruling that sacked Ali Modu Sheriff as National Chairman of the party will not affect his chances, Iduoriyekemwen said: “Before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt delivered its judgment, Sheriff had at least three judgments saying he is the authentic chairman of the party. And when two courts of coordinate jurisdiction take a decision on a matter, the first in time takes precedence.
“It is only the Court of Appeal that can change the direction of the decision of a lower court. The judgment of Justice Abang last week is sacrosanct. Sheriff has filed a notice of appeal so it is not an issue.
“We all know that it is only a properly convened convention that can take decision on behalf of the PDP not a caretaker committee,” he stated.
