#EdoDecides: How PDP plans to dethrone APC
– Solomon Edebiri declares interest in Edo state governorship ticket on platform of PDP
– Edebiri demands free and fair election in Edo state
– The governorship aspirant believes the PDP is the party to beat in the state
Solomon Edebiri, a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2016 gubernatorial election in the state has warned the leadership of the party that only a free and fair primary election to elect its candidate will guarantee the future of the party in the state.
Edebiri’s warning came on the heel of rumours that he had withdrawn from the race for another aspirant of the party, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
“All I have to say for now is that only a free contest will guarantee the future of the party in the state,” he said.
Edebiri made the denial while speaking with journalists at the party secretariat at the weekend in Benin.
Governorship aspirant Solomon Edebiri reveals how PDP plans to dethrone APC in Edo state
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He however expressed confidence in the party leadership’s ability to conduct a free and fair primaries, adding, “Except something goes wrong which I doubt, I expect the party leadership to be careful and listen to the body language of the people because this primary has the tendency to either make or mar PDP in Edo state.”
On rumours of his withdrawal from the governorship race, Edebiri said: “I want to tell you physically and clearly that there is no aorta of truth in the rumour. It is a lie from the pit of hell. As far as myself and campaign organization are concerned, we still remain the candidate to beat in the state.
“We remain the number one candidate in the state forthcoming governorship race because we speak the language of the people. The people are with us. All we are asking is for the leaders of the PDP to listen to the people of Edo state.
“I am looking forward to a free and fair primary. And the only thing that can survive and regain the peoples’ confidence once again in PDP in Edo state is for it to conduct a free and fair primary.
“Where whoever wins will be accepted and earn the respect and support of other aspirants. But not a situation where one is cowed out or to organise a kangaroo arrangement to ensure that some of the apsirants are ousted beforehand.
“We will not accept that and we will not tolerate it. We will certainly reject such act in its entirety and will continue to fight to pursue and promote the tenets of democracy that ensures that a candidate emerges through a free and fair contest from the primaries,” Edebiri said.
The main political parties in Edo state, Peoples Democratic Party and the ruling All Progressive Congress have started planning in preparations for the 2016 governorship election.
The ruling APC and the opposition PDP have stepped up preparations to produce Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s successor in 2016. The two parties are making determined efforts to resolve their internal crisis before the primaries.
Sent in by Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin
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