Edo Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, on Saturday said Gov. Adams Oshiomhole had rated him as the best candidate for the September 10 gubernatorial election in the state.

Odubu, an aspirant to the governorship position on the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the claim at a reception organised for him by his team of supporters in Benin.

He said that he had understudied the governor since their assumption of office more than seven years ago, and that governor had groomed him for the number one seat.

“I have been in school; I have been in Oshiomhole’s school of governance and he, himself, has rated me as the best.

“We need a governor that will hit the ground running. We need a governor that is game-ready and not one with potential.

“We will bring to bear, all that the governor has taught us, and our expertise. We will do the greatest good to the greatest number of the people within the shortest time possible when we get there.

“By His grace, I know and I believe that I am the man that will take over from the governor.”

He urged APC’s delegates for the June 18 primaries of the party not to be coerced into voting against their preferred aspirant, stressing that they must freely choose who would govern them.

On alleged massive buying of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC’s) by a particular aspirant, he advised that voters must protect their PVCs.

He said, “my good people of Edo, I hear they are collecting your PVCs; please, your PVC is your property, it is your right, don’t sell it, don’t mortgage your future.

“You have to freely choose the man or woman that you want. You must choose who will govern Edo of your own free volition.”

He announced that he had been cleared for the primaries by the party’s screening committee and appealed to his supporters to remain steadfast and conduct themselves peacefully before, during and exercise. (NAN)

•Photo shows Edo Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu.