By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—AHEAD of the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, former governor of the state, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, has said that the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state will present a candidate that will enjoy the acceptability of the generality of the people of the state and capable of retreiving power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

He hinted that the candidate must be from the PDP “family,” giving a boost to the governorship ambition of his close friend and former Secretary to the State Government during his administration, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Igbinedion broke his silence on the politics of the state at the 53rd birthday celebration of Pastor Ize-Iyamu at his residence in Benin City.

He said that he intends to play a major role in the emergence of the PDP governorship candidate, noting that the party will select a credible candidate who will enjoy the support of both the leaders and the people of the state.

He said: “No matter what anybody might say, I remain a strong member of PDP and one of the founding members. I also remain the only former governor whose election victory was never contested in any court of law. There is no doubt that I am loved by my people. It may be too early to comment on the 2016 governorship election in Edo State but I want to make one or two comments.

“Whoever is going to be the candidate of our party must be one of the founding members of the PDP in the state. He must also be a member of the ‘family,’ (PDP). The people of our state will be happy when the choice of the party’s flag bearer is made and there will be celebration across the state,” he added.