Edo 2024 Guber: Ize Iyamu confident of getting APC’s ticket, winning gov election
One of the 29 governorship aspirants on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has assured his teeming supporters that he will get the party’s ticket on February 17, and win the September 21, 2024 election.
Ize-Iyamu, who was APC’s governorship candidate during the September 19, 2020 election, and the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2016, spoke at Benin Airport, on his return from Abuja, where he attended crucial meetings with APC’s national leaders.
He told his numerous supporters that there was nothing to worry about based on his capacity, experience, intellect, and trust in the Lord.
Ize-Iyamu, who is a senior pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), said: “I want to tell you that APC in Edo State is a united house. We may disagree in reaching the process, but at the end of the day, when we choose a candidate, we will all rally around the person. By the grace of God, and with your support, rest assured that I will get APC’s ticket, and win the election.
“There is nothing to worry about. When you are contesting for elections, there must be intrigues, all kinds of rumours and stories. Next week, by the grace of God, I am going to collect the forms. I want to assure you that I am in the race.
“The only people that can exclude people are members of the screening committee set up by the National Working Committee of APC. Even then, there is room for appeal. The screening committee has not been set up.
“Any Edo person is worthy of the ticket, not to talk of somebody who was the candidate of the party. I am not a stranger. More people are saying today that I should contest. I want to assure you that I will not only contest, I will win.”
The governorship aspirant, who hails from Benin Kingdom in Edo South senatorial district, also stated that he would not take Edo people’s support for granted.
He said: “I was surprised when I saw the multitude, thousands of young men, women, elders, and leaders at Benin Airport to welcome me. So overwhelming. I am extremely grateful. Your support will not be in vain.”
Ize-Iyamu also described as cordial, his relationship with the representative of Edo North senatorial district, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo state, who is also an ex-president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
He said: “My relationship with our leader, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, is very cordial, contrary to any insinuation. He is my senior brother. He is older than me. I respect age. We have worked together for many years. He is the leader of APC in Edo State. He is a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We have no problem. Even if we are to disagree, that cannot lead to any problem. Let me tell our followers that we need everybody, especially our leaders.
“The fact that you hear about disagreements does not in any way mean that anybody is our enemy. In fact, the hallmark of democracy is the right to disagree, but we disagree to agree.”
Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, is pushing that his successor on November 12, 2024 should be from Esanland in Edo Central senatorial district, while he is backing on PDP’s platform, the aspiration of a Lagos-based lawyer, Asue Ighodalo, who hails from Ewohimi in Esan Southeast Local Government Area of Edo South senatorial district.
Ighodalo will have to contend with on PDP’s platform, Edo Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, an indigene of Edo North senatorial district; and the eventual consensus governorship aspirant of the Legacy Coalition, led by the National Vice Chairman, Southsouth, of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, the immediate Edo chairman of the party.
The Nation
