Team Asue Media Organisation (TAMO) has dismissed insinuations that the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last month’s Edo State election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo is considering running for Senate. TAMO said the claims are not only baseless, but also a “figment of the idle and warped mind of those behind it”.
With the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in that election, Senator Monday Okpebholo now having his seat vacant having been declared winner of the 21 September governorship election, the electoral commission will have to conduct a by-election for Edo Central district.
TAMO described the article that generated the speculation as a “deliberate but futile move to hoodwink the public and distract from the ongoing efforts to reclaim the stolen mandate freely given to Ighodalo by Edo people during the September election”.
In a statement on Saturday in Benin City, the state capital, TAMO’s spokesperson, Mr. Erhabor Emokpae said: “Asue Ighodalo has not expressed any interest in pursuing a senatorial bid. The suggestion that he is discreetly consulting with key stakeholders and building support for a senatorial campaign is entirely unfounded”.
The statement read: “The attention of Team Asue Media Organisation (TAMO) has been drawn to an article circulating in the media, authored by one Comrade Robinson Akhenoba, which falsely claims that Asue Ighodalo, the recent governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, is preparing to contest for a Senate seat in the upcoming Edo Central by-election. We categorically deny this baseless speculation.
“Asue Ighodalo has not expressed any interest in pursuing a senatorial bid. The suggestion that he is discreetly consulting with key stakeholders and building support for a senatorial campaign is entirely unfounded. At no point has Ighodalo considered this path, nor has he initiated discussions with any party leaders or stakeholders regarding the by-election.
“The article in question appears to be a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and distract from the ongoing efforts to seek justice in the aftermath of the shambolic Edo State governorship election. Asue Ighodalo remains focused on pursuing the restoration of the mandate that was stolen from the people of Edo State during the September 2024 election. His commitment to democracy and good governance remains unwavering, and his priority is ensuring that the will of the people is upheld.
“We urge the public to disregard these speculative reports and remain focused on the issues that truly matter to the future of Edo State. Asue Ighodalo’s current efforts are dedicated to the legal and democratic processes aimed at restoring electoral integrity in the state.
“TAMO will continue to provide timely and accurate information regarding any developments in this regard, and we caution against the spread of false information that seeks to divert attention from the pressing issues at hand”.
