The Edo State’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, said the Court’s decision will determine the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.

On Tuesday, the PDP National Working Committee, led by the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, issued a Certificate of Return to Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate for the upcoming Edo governorship election.

It will be recalled that two contenders Shaibu and Ighodalo emerged as the gubernatorial candidates for the 2024 Edo elections under the banner of the PDP following simultaneous primaries held in the state on February 22, 2023.

Shaibu secured victory with 301 votes, while Ighodalo clinched the win in a separate primary held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium with 577 votes.

However, in an interview on Monday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed that efforts had commenced to reconcile aggrieved party members following the conduct of the governorship primary.

He stated that “The capacity of the party to reconcile all issues and members is what makes it a better party. We adhere to that. Reconciliation is an ongoing process and is not a 100-meter dash. It is a marathon. And we are doing that already at different levels.

“Reconciliation in Edo; that I can tell you has started in earnest. And we recognised the need to work together as a party to win in Edo State. Not just because of our party, but because of the people and the challenges in Nigeria today,” he added.

Clarifying his purpose of visiting the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, on Wednesday, Shaibu stated, “Today is the day set aside for the collection of certificate of return for the winner of the primary. I understand someone came yesterday and was given, well, the court will decide.” (The PUNCH)

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