Former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar has urged disgruntled members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State to embrace peace.

In a statement released by Paul Ibe, his media adviser, Atiku called on aspirants who contested in the PDP governorship primary in Edo to unite behind Asue Ighodalo. Ighodalo, a businessman, emerged as the winner of the PDP governorship primary election organized by the national working committee (NWC) of the party for the Edo governorship election scheduled for September. Meanwhile, Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo, clinched victory in the parallel governorship primary organized by a faction of the party.

Atiku emphasized in the statement issued on Saturday the importance of reconciliation among party members and aspirants, urging them to collaborate for the overall interest of the party. “The PDP leadership and members in Edo State must be congratulated also for an amazing primary election that produced the quality of candidate to fly the flag of our party in the upcoming election,” Atiku said.

“The party has made a choice, and it is not in dispute that the choice is a good one.

“It is, therefore, on this note that I plead with all other aspirants and aggrieved stakeholders to reconcile and negotiate to make sure that Edo remains a PDP state. “Barrister Ighodalo, apart from being a brilliant mind, in whose hands the affairs of Edo State will steer on stable waters, is also a fine gentleman.”

Atiku said Ighodalo has “what it takes” to unite members of the PDP willing to work for the interest of the party.