An Ebonyi state governorship Aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Austin Igwe Edeze, Monday said he will win the party primaries for the 2023 governorship election in the State.
Edeze, who is among the eleven aspirants that picked governorship forms in the party, is optimistic that his antecedent would see him through in the forthcoming primaries of PDP.
Mr Edeze, who was among those successfully screened in Enugu, explained that with the level of organization seen during the screening exercise, the party would have a free and fair primaries.
He further expressed hope that the issue of having two state chairmen of the party in Ebonyi State would be sorted out before other electoral processes, describing it as an internal party matter.
He said, “We have been screened and I participated in the screening very successfully. I want to remark that the screening committee was very wonderful, the organization was perfect, security was intact. They did not allow people who have no business with the activities to come into the premises.
“I want to commend the screening committee that screened the gubernatorial candidates of the southeast zone. Ebonyi state aspirants were the first people that were attended to then followed by other states. I also want to thank God for participating successfully in this all-important stage of the gubernatorial process. I record this as one of the first beginning which I recorded as a success by the grace of God and hope that other stages to combat will be very successful and in my favor.
“The issue of having two chairmen in Ebonyi state is an internal party matter that definitely will be sorted out before other processes take place. But I want to assure you that from what I experienced with the screening committee, the organization, the arrangement, security if they employ that in the real primary election and adopt a level playing ground, I think by the law of probability, I will say that going by what I experienced in Enugu, I am sure that the primary election by the PDP will be free and fair.
“My chances of becoming victorious in the primaries I think have nothing to do with the screening, except for the fact that if you are screened successfully, you will be qualified to participate in the primaries. We were not issued that certificate because they needed to complete the screening exercise and then subsequently issue us with the certificate that will enable you to participate in the primary elections.
“Generally, I’m very optimistic about winning the primary election and I have the acceptability and I have the antecedent. I have the belief people have in me following my antecedent in the places I have worked in.
“I will try to run a government that has a human face and work toward the uplift of your welfare and then other things can follow. Of course, you know that I’m an educationist, all the things in my vein are about education, when I had the opportunity I was able to build a school in the prison yard and the school is functioning till today. That goes to tell you the extent to which I think about education.
“That goes to show you that if any society must develop, it will begin with a sound foundation in education. It is usually said that if you want to under develop a nation begin by lowering the standard of its education,” he said.