The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will emerge victorious in the forthcoming general elections, noting that the party will deploy technology to ensure victory at the polls.

The governor who convened the PDP South-South Zonal Meeting, held at the Ibom Hall in Uyo, the capital of Akwa-Ibom State, said the waters have been tested in Edo and Osun States, where the party leveraged technology to ensure victory in the governorship elections. 

Obaseki said the meeting was held to discuss issues affecting the party ahead of the launch of the PDP presidential campaign for the February 23, 2023 election in the South-South region, noting, “This will be a very different election as we have seen in the past. This zone will make the difference.

He noted, “Our election in Edo redefined the face of election in this republic. This will be a technical election as we used technology to win our election in Edo State. We repeated the same in Osun State and now can tell how elections are being run with the new Electoral Act. In this zone, we have the skills and knowledge in supporting one another in running and winning elections. Election is not won on election day but a battle for election at the polling unit level.”

On his part, Delta State Governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, commended stakeholders from the different zones in the South-South, noting that “the meeting will create opportunity to rub minds and know members of the party more.”

Okowa said, “As a party, we are most prepared for this election. As a zone, we are strong and will continue to give strength to the party as we deliver greater votes to the party and come out victorious. For this election, with the electoral laws, a lot of work is needed as we will be using the Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVS) recognized in the Electoral Act. It calls for greater work and mobilization in the February and March election in 2023. The South-south is a strong pillar in the PDP as we hope to deliver votes for the PDP.”

Former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion who spoke on behalf of former PDP governors urged the party stakeholders at the meeting to work hard to ensure the victory of the PDP at the 2023 presidential elections.

Former Governor of Cross River State and Deputy Director-General, Campaign Operations, Liyel Imoke said "the PDP is in Akwa-Ibom State and the South-South zone to make a statement as we kick off the campaign from this zone."

Akwa-Ibom State Governor and the host for the meeting, Udom Emmanuel thanked all the stakeholders from the South-South Zone, appealing for mobilization for the party to come out victorious at the 2023 presidential election.

Other governors at the meeting include: Sokoto State Governor, Alh. Aminu Tambuwal and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Douye Diri.

Other leaders of the party at the meeting from Edo include, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun; Senator representing Edo Central, Sen. Clifford Odia; Senator representing Edo South, Senator Matthew Urhoghide and Senator representing Edo North, Sen. Francis Alimikhena, amongst others.