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[UPDATED] Edo Guber: Ighodalo Emerges PDP Candidate, Promises To Lead Edo On Path Of Prosperity

Published

2 years ago

February 22, 2024

Former Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 2024 Edo State Governorship election.

Ighodalo polled 577 of the 585 accredited votes, defeating 10 other aspirants to clinch the party’s ticket at the keenly contested primary which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the Edo State capital.

While the State’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu polled one vote, another top contender, Anselm Ojezua scored zero votes.

Meanwhile, the immediate past House of Representatives member, representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama stepped down from the race, while his other counterpart, a former House of Representative member representing Ovia Federal constituency, Omosede Igbinedion also stepped down from the race, declaring her support for Asue Ighodalo.

Other aspirants including Felix Akhabue, Martin Uhomoibhi, Hadizat Umoru, Dr. Earl Onaiwu and Arthur Esene also polled zero votes. The election also recorded six void votes.

Ighodalo was declared winner of the primary election by the Chairman of the Edo PDP Primary Electoral Committee and Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, and the Co-Chairman and Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwhori.

According to Lawal, “By the powers vested in me by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, pursuant to the Constitution of our great party, the PDP, as the Chief Returning Officer of the 2024 Edo PDP Primary Election, I hereby declare Asue Ighodalo as the winner of the just concluded primary election with a total vote of 577.

“Therefore, I hereby return the elected as the PDP candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in the State.”

Ighodalo, while commending the delegates, leaders and members of the PDP for the confidence reposed in him, promised to, if elected the State’s next helmsman, work with all stakeholders to transform the fortunes of Edo people and lead the State on the path of prosperity and greatness.

He said, “I thank the good people of Edo State. Resilient people; brilliant, hard working, visionary, focused, and willing to move our state into prosperity.

“I am only a tool in this process and I promise you all that I will be a useful tool in this process. Edo State by God’s grace will move from where Governor Godwin Obaseki has carried us to, to the next level.”

He further noted, “I would like to thank Governor Obaseki for the wonderful work he has done in the last seven and a half years. I know that in a year or two people will keep talking about Obaseki. We all haven’t seen the value of the work he has done but he is like a builder who is building the foundation for a 100-storey building. I thank him and his wife for supporting him tremendously and giving him the strength to go through the vicissitudes of the last seven years. No man is perfect so we all will repair and work on each other’s mistakes.

“I promise all the good people of Edo State; those in Edo State, in Nigeria, and in the Diaspora that I will work tirelessly for our State. I will assemble our best hands to move our State to the next level and I promise you all that I will give you my all.”

Reiterating the need for a united party to win the forthcoming guber elections in the State, Ighodalo said it is only with a formidable and united front that the PDP can excel and succeed in the mission of retaining its seat at Osadebe Avenue and consolidating on the impactful work the party has started in the State.

Earlier, the host Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, while welcoming guests at the primary election, said, “Today, we are going through an exercise that has been stipulated by our party. Even though it’s statutory, the exercise will be life-changing because Nigeria is going through difficult times and we can only overcome the challenges we are facing as a Country with the right leadership.

“If we in Edo do not begin to show the right leadership that will begin to reset Nigeria, God forbid, we may all be in trouble. PDP is the only party that has what it takes to rule this Country. Again, we are showing the example in the way we are conducting our leadership selection process.”

He added, “We are following our rules very assiduously; my role as a host governor is to welcome all of you who are here, starting with our members who elected the delegates that are carrying out this exercise today. Thanks to members of the State and National Working Committee of our great party, the PDP for being steadfast in the rules. I also thank all the aspirants for exercising the spirits of sportsmanship.”

News

FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

Published

6 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has announced the reintroduction of Nigerian History as a compulsory subject from primary to senior secondary school, 16 years after it was removed from the curriculum in 2009, under the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced this in a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday.

It said the reintroduction aimed at strengthening national identity, unity, and patriotism among diverse citizens.

“For the first time in decades, Nigerian pupils will study History continuously from Primary 1 to JSS3, while SSS1–3 students will take the new Civic and Heritage Studies, integrating History with Civic Education.

“Primary 1–6: Pupils will learn about Nigeria’s origins, heroes, rulers, culture, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.

“JSS1–3: Students will study civilisations, empires, trade, European contacts, amalgamation, independence, democracy, and civic values,” the statement read.

The Ministry said the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, CON, together with the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing the reform.

“They emphasised that History is not merely a record of the past, but a vital foundation for shaping responsible and patriotic citizens.”

According to the Ministers, the reform is a priceless gift to the nation, reconnecting children with their roots while inspiring pride, unity, and commitment to national development.

The Ministry has released the revised curriculum and will retrain teachers, provide resources, and strengthen monitoring.

The former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua-led government in 2009 removed history from Nigeria’s basic education curriculum.

Then, it was justified that students were avoiding it with the claim that there were few jobs for history graduates, and that there was dearth of history teachers.

In 2022, the Ministry of Education under former Minister Adamu Adamu inaugurated the reintroduction of the subject.

The Ministry also trained history teachers at the basic education level in Abuja.

However, history has always remained optional in the few schools that offer it.

News

Police Announce Burial Arrangements For Ex-IG Arase

Published

6 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has released the burial arrangements for former Inspector-General of Police Solomon Ehigiator Arase, who died on August 31, 2025, at the age of 69.

Arase, who served as the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, was described by the Force as a dedicated officer remembered for his leadership, philanthropy and commitment to police reforms.

According to the programme of events signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, released on Wednesday, the burial rites will begin in Abuja on September 24 with a Day of Tribute at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi.

A requiem mass will follow on September 26 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, while a lying-in-state is scheduled for September 27 at his Abuja residence. His body will then depart for Benin City, Edo State.

In his hometown, Sabongida Ora, a candlelight procession is slated for September 29.

A valedictory session organised by the Edo State judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association will hold at the Edo State High Court, Benin, on October 2.

Other activities include a service of songs at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin, on October 2, followed by a family lying-in-state.

The funeral mass will take place on October 3 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, after which interment will be held at his private residence in Benin City.

A reception is planned at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, while a thanksgiving mass will round off the events on October 5.

Arase, who held national honours including CFR, and was also a PhD holder, was appointed Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 and retired in June 2016.

He died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.

News

Lagos Begins Monitoring As Schools Resume

Published

6 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Education Quality Assurance, has commenced the monitoring of schools for compliance with standards as students resumed activities this week.

The OEQA spokesperson, Adepeju Adeyemi, said in a Wednesday statement sent to newsmen that the inspection began on Monday across the state for schools below the tertiary level.

The monitoring team, led by the Coordinating Director of OEQA, Remi Abdul, visited several schools, including Dolphin Senior High School, Lagos Island, where the team was received by the Principal/Director, Comfort Agunlejika.

Abdul explained that the purpose of the monitoring was to ensure compliance with the approved resumption date as stated in the Year 2025/2026 Harmonised Academic Calendar.

The PUNCH reports that basic and secondary schools in Lagos resumed on September 15, 2025, for the First Term of the Y2025/2026 session.

According to the approved 2025/2026 harmonised calendar made available to our correspondent, the First Half of the term is scheduled for September 15 to October 31, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. The second half will commence from November 10 to December 19, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. In between the halves are Open Day and Mid-Term Break.

Abdul noted that the monitoring team deployed was also verifying whether school administrators held pre-resumption meetings and whether key teaching and statutory records, such as lesson notes, diaries, and makeshift attendance registers, were in place for the smooth take-off of the new academic session.

“While addressing SSS 3 students, Abdul encouraged them to take their academics seriously, noting that how well they perform this term would determine their transition to higher education. He urged them to read well, stay focused, avoid skipping classes and begin early preparation for their WASSCE examinations,” the statement said.

He also encouraged teachers to remain dedicated and committed to delivering quality education.