Alhaji Umar Damagum.
,,,,, Expresses Pessimism about APC Winning forthcoming governorship polls.
By Goodluck Ikiebe.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has constituted its National Champaign Councils for Edo and Ondo States, declaring that it would be difficult for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to win the forthcoming governorship polls.
The party’s acting national Chairman, Umar Damagum, stated this while inaugurating the Campaign Councils for Edo and Ondo on Thursday in Abuja.
Damagum said that the manner in which the candidates emerged in the two states was an indication that the party would be victorious in the elections.
He expressed the party’s confidence to win Edo and Ondo elections, saying that it would not allow itself to be robbed of victory in any of the states.
Damagum said that Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had already laid the foundation for the success of the party in the state election.
“We will not sit down and allow anybody to search, grab, and steal. We will be battle-ready for any thief that rears his head to steal our fortune.
“We have done so well in Edo State. We thank the governor. “We are very proud of him. Our records in that state speak volumes.
“So, to those that think they will take Edo, I want to tell them that it is going to be very difficult for them, because we are in a democratic dispensation,” he said.
Damagum,who asserted that Ondo is already for PDP to win, advised the people of the state to see the forthcoming election as another opportunity for them to change things to work for them.
“I know it is our highhandedness that made us miss that state. But I am sure most of you people from Ondo have seen the situation on ground.
“You are now more committed and resolved. You have a brand new candidate, who is so much endowed with wisdom. If I can say, his emergence has a hand of God in it,” he said.
The acting national chairman tasked the two campaign councils to face the daunting challenge ahead, be fearless, and work for the victory of the party.
“You have to open your eyes, shine your eyes. They will come with all sorts of antics, but this time around, we are ready for them. We will match them,” he said.
Damagum pledged that the party would give the councils the needed support to carry out their assignments in the two states.
The Edo council, with 148 members, is chaired by Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, with Governors Sherrif Oborevwori of Delta and Kefas Agbu of Taraba as Deputy Chairmen.
Also, the Ondo Campaign Council, with 177 members, is chaired by Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, with his counterparts, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara and Caleb Muftwang of Plateau, as Deputy Chairmen.
Speaking on behalf of the campaign councils, Gov. Fintiri assured PDP of the members’ commitment to the assignment, adding that PDP had brighter chances in both States.
“We are ready for Edo. We will not leave anything to chance. “We will leverage Obaseki’s performance.
“We have low hanging political fruits in the two sytates. We should go with all seriousness.
“PDP has bright chances in the two States. Edo has registered over 2,000 since new registration started,” Fintiri said.
A PDP Chieftain in Edo, Chief Tom Ikimi, also expressed confidence that PDP would win Edo, following the performance of Obaseki.
Ikimi said that Obaseki had distinguished himself as one of the best Governors in the country.
“He is the first Governor to be bold enough to step forward to make a basic salary of N70,000 to every worker,” he noted.
Ikimi added that PDP candidate in Edo, Asue Ighodalo, had the capacity to turn the State around.
Contributing, former National Chairman, South-West of PDP, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, also expressed confidence that the story from Ondo would be one of success and victory.
Olafeso said that the party leaders and stakeholders were united behind the PDP candidate in the state, Agboola Ajayi, adding that all that was needed at the moment was the total support of the party leaders and elective members.
Additional Reports from the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
