Things You Need to Know About Asue Ighodalo: PDP Guber Candidate in Edo State

Trials, tribulations and challenges are part of life so are successes and victories.

Known for his impressive track record in the corporate world, expanding through the diversity of law and business, Asue Ighodalo is now setting his sights on the Edo top seat, without distractions and promising to leverage his vast experience to drive significant change.

As the 2024 Edo State governorship election heats up and the people head to the polls to cast their franchise, all eyes are on Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate to deliver what many hope will be the transformation of the historical state.

With a long battle at the judicial level to authenticate his candidacy and confirmation as the rightful candidate of the PDP finally coming as the Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the nomination of Ighodalo. He is now the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State in the forthcoming September 21 off-cycle election.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice, A. M Lamido, in the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/642/2024, the court dismissed an appeal brought by former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu challenging the May 27th judgement of Justice James Omotosho of Federal High Court, Abuja.

Justice Omotosho affirmed the nomination of Dr. Ighodalo as the rightful and duly nominated candidate of the PDP in Edo State.

The judgment finally put to bed a doubting cloud that has been hovering over the political future of Ighodalo and with this set aside, it’s time to maintain focus and take a critical look at the man, his experience, achievements and what he brings to the table.

Born Asuerinme Ighodalo and hailing from Okaigben, Ewohimi, Esan South East LGA, Edo State, Nigeria, he is popularly known is a Nigerian lawyer, banker, politician and the governorship candidate of the PDP in the upcoming Governorship election in Edo State.

Asue alongside Femi Olubanwo is a founding partner of the law firm Banwo-and-Ighodalo, a corporate and commercial law practice in Nigeria, specializing in advising major corporations on Corporate Finance, Capital Markets, Energy & Natural Resources, Mergers & Acquisitions, Banking & Securitization and Project Finance. Ighodalo was the chairman of Sterling Bank, a director at the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

A product of King’s College, Lagos. He obtained a B.Sc degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan in 1981, an LL.B from the London School of Economics and Political Science (1984) and a B.L from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos (1985). Upon graduation from Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Ighodalo worked as an Associate in the law firm of Chris Ogunbanjo & Co between 1985 and 1991, and in 1991 he set up Banwo & Ighodalo, in partnership with Femi Olubanwo.

The firm has consistently been ranked as a leading Nigerian law firm in the areas of Capital Markets, Securities, and Mergers & Acquisitions.

Asue Ighodalo resigned from all the corporate positions he held to aspire to become the governor of Edo State under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and on February 22, 2024, Ighodalo emerged as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2024 Edo State Governorship election. He became the flagbearer of the party after many legal battles.

Asue Ighodalo is married to Ifeyinwa, and they have two daughters, Omoehi and Ayomide. He is also the brother to popular Lagos Pastor Ituah Ighodalo paving the way for the PFN and CAN to see him as the right candidate for endorsement by the religious bodies to adopt him as the preferred candidate to lead the state of Edo.

As a youth in mind, body and soul, and with a clear vision for Edo’s future, Asue Ighodalo aims to tackle pressing issues such as economic development, infrastructure, and education. His strategic approach and proven expertise in corporate governance are seen as critical assets in addressing the state’s challenges. 

Ighodalo continues to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals, serving as a shining example of what can be achieved with determination, talent, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on Edo state and Nigeria at large.

With a track record of philanthropy and community developments, Asue Ighodalo is a man poised and set on a mission to revitalize and be the propeller of Beta Edo.