Obaseki panicks as Oshiomole’s man, Ize –Iyamu picks APC Guber form
By Molade Adegbuyi
The 2016 governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Wednesday picked the expression of interest and nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC), after his Tuesday’s emergence in Abuja as the consensus candidate of the pro-Adams Oshiomhole APC in Edo State, Irohinoodua was reliably informed. The new development has raised fresh anxiety in Obaseki’s camp. Iyamu is from Benin, a political base that Obaseki has been using as his best selling point.
Ize-Iyamu, a lawyer and former Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), promised to work with other governorship aspirants, ahead of the June 22 direct governorship primary election and September 19 poll.
The consensus candidate was accompanied by some of the governorship aspirants: Prof. Ebegue Amadasun; Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd.); Chris Ogiemwonyi, an engineer; Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma and Saturday Uwuilekhue, as well as other leaders of APC, thereby demonstrating their resolve and commitment to work together for Ize-Iyamu to emerge as the party’s standard bearer.
Ize-Iyamu, Wednesday in an online statement by his campaign organisation, signed by the Director of Communication and Media, John Mayaki, described his purchase of the expression of interest and nomination forms as another stride in the quest to move Edo state forward.
He said: “By obtaining the forms today, we have formally placed our name on the party’s ballot for our internal primary next month (June 22). It is another great stride and we are thankful to the other aspirants who have joined us here today (yesterday) to offer support.
“Everyone here may have personal ambitions, but we are bound together by the common desire to fast-track the transformation of our state, through transparent, effective and accountable governance that will improve the living standard and social well-being of our people. We all recognise that this cannot happen, unless we dislodge the present administration that has failed this great party and the people of Edo State.
The consensus candidate, who is a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), emerged on Tuesday night and he was presented by the Chairman of the screening committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena, the representative of Edo North Senatorial District.