By Titus Oise
Special Correspondent, Benin
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant for the Edo governorship vote in July, Solomon Edebiri, has denied stepping down for Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
He said at the state PDP secretariat in Benin that there is no iota of truth in the rumour, and “as far as myself and campaign organisation are concerned, we still remain the candidate to beat in the state.”
In his view, he remains “the number one candidate” because “we speak the language of the people.”
Ize-Iyamu beat his chest that the people “are with us” and “all we are asking is for the leaders of the PDP to listen to the people of Edo State.”
He sought a free and fair primary, being the “only thing” that can survive and regain the peoples’ confidence “once again” in the PDP in Edo.
He said this will ensure that 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 aspirants 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.’’
Does he have faith in the party leadership to conduct a free and fair primary?
“Yes, I have faith in the party leadership as at today for it to conduct free and fair primaries.
“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 break the PDP in Edo State.
“All I have to say for now is that only a free contest will guarantee the future of the party in the state.”
