The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State will abide by the party’s position during the primary election to select its standard bearer for the 2023 presidential election.
Obaseki gave the assurance on Thursday in Government House, Benin City, when he received the Governor of Bauchi State and presidential aspirant. Alhaji Bala Mohammed.
According to the Edo Governor, “What I want to assure you is that for us in Edo, we are PDP, and we want our party to produce the next president. Whatever the party agrees to do as long as it is fair and just we in Edo will support.
“You have come to see our delegates and they will have the privilege of hearing from you and make the decision they need to make when the time comes. But as you know, you are our friend, I like and respect your courage and tenacity and all we can do is to pray to God to give you the strength and energy to go through this.”
He described Mohammed as a democrat and “the midwife who delivered me during my primaries in the party,” adding “so I will always remember, as someone who is always grateful for any good deed that has been done to him.”
Obaseki added: “I also admire you a lot for your courage and tenacity and in the comity of governors, particularly in our party, I know the role you have continued to play, you play the role of a bridge builder between the various divides.
“I like your spirit because democracy is about contestation, you have thrown your heart in the ring and you have been quite clear about it. I am not surprised because you come from a very rich background of experience in governance and a very wide breadth and depth of experience, both in the legislature and the executive and just by listening to you I believe you know what the issues are in Nigeria today. I can confirm that you are a patriot.
Earlier the Bauchi State Governor said he was in Benin City to meet and consult with the Governor and other delegates of the PDP on his aspiration to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 presidential election.
“I was in Bayelsa and Delta States and this is the third State I am visiting, and I am here for consultation and to see the delegates on my decision to seek for the most pivotal office in the country, that is the presidency of Nigeria.
The former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) added: “I am aware of the sensibilities and feelings here and there, especially self actualization, rotation and zoning. I have always considered myself as a Nigerian first and I am not representing the north east or the north or anywhere
“ I know there is the need for equity and justice and fairness and I know the PDP of which I am a member, that there is no inhibition in terms of zoning or anything for that matter, and I am ready at any point in time if there is a decision by leaders like you, as to where it would go, that is if it is not late, to abide by the decision of the party, that is why, based on the timeline and timetable, we are coming out to meet the delegates, especially leaders like you to offer ourselves.
“It is not that we are the best, but certainly we are ready to serve the people and leverage on the capacity of leaders like you.
We are ready to serve the people, I am very conscious of the need for team work and unity and the need to be able to give good governance to the people.”
He decried the current state of insecurity in the country and assured that he can be trusted.
