Nigerian superstar Davido has publicly declared his support for Asue Ighodalo, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo state. Davido shared a ThisDay cover featuring Ighodalo on his Instagram Story, expressing his endorsement ahead of the election.

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has officially declared his support for Asue Ighodalo, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo state.

Davido took to Instagram to show his endorsement by posting a ThisDay cover featuring Ighodalo.

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Captioning the post, Davido referred to Ighodalo as “The next governor of my mother’s homeland,” highlighting his late mother, Veronica Adeleke’s, Edo state roots.

This show of support comes after Davido’s uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, arrived in Benin as part of a PDP delegation attending a significant rally in support of Ighodalo.

Prominent figures, including musicians Banky W, Adesua Etomi, and actors Etinosa Idemudia and Charles Inojie, have also voiced their backing for Ighodalo.

Political heavyweights like former vice president Atiku Abubakar and former Cross River governors Liyel Imoke and Donald Duke have also joined in supporting the PDP candidate.

The Edo state governorship election, slated for September 21, 2024, will see Ighodalo competing against Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), as the current governor, Godwin Obaseki, prepares to finish his final term in office.

PDP governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo has sued Senator Adams Oshiomhole for N20 billion over false and defamatory comments regarding the Planwell scheme.

Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming Edo State governorship election, has filed a N20 billion lawsuit against Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

The suit, which was lodged through his counsel Ayo Asala (SAN) & Associates, demands an immediate retraction and public apology for defamatory comments made by Oshiomhole regarding Ighodalo’s alleged involvement in the Planwell pyramid scheme.

Also read: I never knew Asue Ighodalo until recently – APC candidate Okpebholo

Oshiomhole made the claims during a campaign rally on September 14, 2024, alleging that Ighodalo participated in the fraudulent scheme, which defrauded many Nigerians.

Ighodalo has described the statements as false, baseless, and malicious, stating they were fabricated to damage his reputation and advance the political interests of Oshiomhole’s party and candidate.

In a letter dated September 16, 2024, Ighodalo’s lawyers demanded that Oshiomhole retract his statements in two national television networks and three widely circulating newspapers, in addition to paying N20 billion in damages.

The lawsuit highlights the growing tension between the two political figures ahead of the September 21 governorship election.

INEC has denied the PDP’s request to redeploy REC Anugbum Onuoha, despite concerns over his ties with the Minister of the FCT.

INEC Rejects PDP’s Call to Redeploy REC Onuoha: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly rejected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s demand to redeploy Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Anugbum Onuoha.

The PDP’s call follows concerns over Onuoha’s relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike.

Also read: Gov poll: INEC resumes voter registration in Edo, Ondo

The controversy surrounding Onuoha intensified after Wike, who is in conflict with Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, supported Obaseki’s second-term bid when he joined the PDP.

The PDP and Obaseki fear that Onuoha might influence the upcoming elections in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Edo State PDP chairman Anthony Aziegbemhin submitted a formal protest to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, requesting Onuoha’s redeployment.

The letter highlighted Onuoha’s close ties with Wike and his previous role as Wike’s Commissioner and Special Adviser for Lands, Survey, and Housing.

In response, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated that Onuoha will not be redeployed. Oyekanmi urged the PDP to focus on the election process rather than the REC.

“The REC for Edo State will not be redeployed. The governorship election will be conducted on September 21, 2024, in 4,519 polling units, not in the REC’s office,”

he said. Oyekanmi emphasised that results would be declared by Presiding Officers in the presence of accredited party agents and stakeholders.