Benin – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo says it will meet the July 4 deadline for the conclusion of the governorship election primaries as set out by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The party’s spokesman, Mr Chris Nekhihare, said is in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the party primaries have been fixed for June 20.
He also said the leadership crisis rocking the party at the national level would not affect the fortunes of the party in the Edo governorship elections.
“Our primaries have been fixed for June 20. So you can see that we are well within the period,” he said.
Similarly, some aspirants of the PDP, have also shared the sentiment of the state publicity secretary with regard to the party having a successful outing in the Edo guber poll.
The aspirants, who spoke in a separate interviews with NAN, said they were well prepared for the primaries and the Sept. 10 election.
An aspirant, Mr Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, who said the leadership crisis did not have any relationship with the state governorship election, said he was fully prepared for the contest.
“Collection of forms for the poll starts tomorrow and I will be collecting mine on Friday. We are as ready as the other parties.
Another aspirant, Mr Osagi Ize-Iyamu, simply said he was also preparing for the primaries.
Also, Mr Edward Okundayo, spokesman for Mr Osaro Onaiwu, an aspirant, said though the leadership crisis in Abuja was worrisome it would not have negative impact on the party’s chances in the poll.
“When the head is sick it will definitely affect the body. But I don’t think it will seriously affect the fortune of the party in the state poll.
“It is offering us a good opportunity to redouble our effort as regard preparations for the election,” he said.(NAN)
