Solomon Edebiri

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

An aspirant for the forthcoming governorship election in Edo state, Chief Solomon Edebiri, has denied the rumours that he had shelved his aspiration to be governor of the state, come November this year.

Edebiri who is seeking to be candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the election, said it was not true that he stepped down for another aspirant in the party, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Chief Edebiri made the denial while speaking with journalists at the‎ party secretariat at the weekend in Benin.

“I want to tell you physically and clearly that there is no 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 primaries. And the only thing that can regain the peoples’ confidence once again in PDP in Edo state is for it to conduct a free and fair primaries.

“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 kangaro arrangement to ensure that some of the apsirants are ousted.

“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 ensure that a candidate emerges through a free and fair contest from the primaries,” Edebiri said.

He however said he had faith in the party leadership 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 becuase this primary has the tendency to either make or mar 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,’’ he said.”‎