Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, 2024 Governorship Election in Edo State, Dr Asue Ighodalo, on Thursday urged members and loyalists of the party to be strong in the face of challenges confronting the party, saying they are meant to test their faith in God.

Ighodalo made the call in Benin while addressing hundreds of party faithfuls during a stakeholders meeting organised by the Edo State Chapter of the party.

Ighodalo told the huge gathering that he is focused on reclaiming the party's mandate freely given to him and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie by the good people of the state.

He promised to reward all those who worked for the party with all sense of loyalty and appealed to them to continue to support the PDP as efforts to reclaim the stolen mandate continues.

"We will restructure, strengthen and refocus the party. You worked for the party in total loyalty, and you will be rewarded more than appropriately. Days when people that didn't work, who are not supposed to be rewarded are the ones that are rewarded, those days are gone," Ighodalo assured.

Ighodalo further urged all members and leaders of the PDP in Edo to remain united, saying, "This family is a remarkable family. I haven't had the opportunity to publicly thank everybody since the election.

"In spite of the intimidation, in spite of the money spending, in spite of everything that they did to us, we won that election hands down.

"I thank you all. I thank our women. I thank the youths , I thank everybody. In fact, I can't stop thanking you. I assure everybody that by God's grace, when we get our mandate, we will run a first class government we've been talking about.

" I promise you now by the grace of God. That is what we will continue to promise the people of Edo State, and it shall be so. So help us, God. Many people want to hear about the court case. We've gone on appeal.

" By the grace of God, our lawyers are doing even harder work. I trust them implicitly, and we will present our case at the court of appeal.

"And if need be, we present our case at the Supreme Court. And God is just. So let's all be strong. God is a just God.

"We the people of PDP in Edo state and we the citizens of Edo state from the grassroots up, God is hearing our cries. "Ighodalo said.

The stakeholders meeting was attended by the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony

Aziegbemi, Chief Tom Ikimi, former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion ,former deputy governor of Edo State, Marvelous Omobayo, former NDDC representative in Edo, Matthew Iduoyekemen, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku and Osarodion Ogie.

Others are Member House of Representatives, Marcus Onobun, former Council Chairman, Esan North East, John Yakubu, Mrs.Benedicta Atoe, Pascal Ugbomhe, Akhere Ugbesia, Senator Odion Ugbesia, Owere Dickson Imasogie, Joe Okojie, Friday Itulah, and PDP LGA chairmen among others.

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