The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said the 2023 general election will be a technical one, adding that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will deploy the use of technology in the election to ensure its victory in the polls.
The governor who convened the PDP South-South Zonal meeting held at the Ibom Hall in Uyo, the capital of Akwa-Ibom State, said Edo State has experience in deploying technology to ensure the victory of the PDP in the presidential election.
Obaseki said the meeting was held to discuss issues affecting the party as the PDP launched its presidential campaign for the February 23, 2023 election from the South-South, noting, “This will be a very different election as we have seen in the past. This zone will make the difference.”
He said: “Our election in Edo redefined the face of election in this republic. This will be a technical election as we used technology to win our election in Edo State. We repeated the same in Osun State and now can tell how elections are being run with the new Electoral Act. In this zone, we have the skills and knowledge in supporting one another in running and winning elections. Election is not won on election day but a battle for election at the polling unit level.”
Delta State Governor and Vice Presidential candidate for the PDP, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa commended stakeholders from the different zones in the South-South at the meeting, informing them that there will still be a consultative meeting to consult with the people in the zone, noting that the meeting will create opportunity to rub minds and know members of the party more.
Okowa said: “As a party, we are most prepared for this election. As a zone we are strong and will continue to give strength to the party as we deliver greater votes to the party and come out victorious. For this election, with the Electoral Laws a lot of work is needed as we will be using the Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVS) recognised in the Electoral Acts. It calls for greater work and mobilisation in the February and March election in 2023. The South-south is a strong pillar in the PDP as we hope to deliver votes for the PDP.”
Former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, who spoke on behalf of former PDP governors, urged the party stakeholders at the meeting to work hard to ensure the victory of the PDP at the 2023 presidential elections.
He said, “We don’t have to wait but work together as success is sure. I want to assure you that with Governor Obaseki Edo State will win 70 percent for the PDP. We are surely in support of our governor to deliver one of us in the election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.”
Former Governor of Cross River State and Deputy Director-General, Campaign Operations, Liyel Imoke said the PDP is in Akwa-Ibom State and the South-South zone to make a statement as we kick off the campaign from this zone.
He added, “We are well recognised in the campaign council. We promise to work hard in ensuring that all the states in the South-South Zone are PDP. We must make sure Cross River State becomes a PDP State as it was before the defection of Governor Ben Ayade to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akwa-Ibom State Governor and the host for the meeting, Udom Emmanuel thanked all the stakeholders from the South-South Zone, appealing for mobilization for the party to come out victorious at the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking for delegates at the meeting, Chief Tom Ikimi said the South-South Zone is fundamental to the development of Nigeria and the PDP.
Other governors at the meeting include: Sokoto State Governor, Alh. Aminu Tambuwal, his Bayelsa State counterpart, Douye Diri.
Other leaders of the party at the meeting are: from Edo include Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun; Senator representing Edo Central, Sen. Cliford Odia, Senator representing Edo South, Senator Matthew Uhrohide; Senator representing Edo North, Sen. Francis Alimikhena, amongst others.
