Edo guber: I am still in the race – Onaiwu

Onaiwu, who is an aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), told journalists in Abuja on Friday that he was yet to leave the race rather was concerned about the crisis in the party, which he said would hopefully be resolved before the July 4 date for submission of names of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“As you are all aware, there are two claimants to the national chairmanship of the PDP and one is unsure where INEC stands in this matter, because it has warned that if this matter is not properly addressed the party may not field any candidate in the election.

“For me as the Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, I am working with other stakeholders to see how this matter is amicably resolved so that we have a united party.

“I remain upbeat that the issues will be sorted out before July 4 which is the date for submission of candidates’ names to the INEC. Our delegates are ready and can be marshalled out whenever this leadership tussle is addressed.

“So I want to emphatically tell you all that I remain in the race, the good people of Edo, my state, deserves a leadership of trust, competence and commitment, therefore we are not desperate. We remain loyal in the Solution Campaign, and by the grace of God as we do the right thing we will be in Government House come September because I remain the best option no matter the platform.

“I urge our numerous supporters to stay calm, hold onto their belief and support because in the coming days they shall know how we will proceed in this matter,” Onaiwu said.

INEC’s Deputy Director for Public affairs, Mr. Nick Dazang, had recently warned that the PDP was pressed for time and should resolve its internal dispute if it stands any chance to participate in the election.

“In this instance when we are pressed for time if the parties in the dispute resort to court, it is going to take long it before the issues are resolved and they collect these forms.

“So we advise that they resolve some of these issues in good time to collect the forms so that they can hold the primaries and the candidates that will contest under their platform can emerge. They have between now and 4th July to do that.

“We normally encourage them. We have a department that relates particularly with the political parties to ensure the processes we laid out and articulated in the timetable and schedule of activities are strictly and religiously followed and we expect them to that,” Dazang.