Less than 24 hours to the All Progressives Congress primary election, a frontline aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has quit the governorship race.
In a letter of withdrawal he sent to the acting State Chairman of the party, Jarrett Tenebe, to notify the party of his decision, Ize-Iyamu said the decision was a painful one.
The letter read in part, “I entered the contest as a progressive democrat, with an open mind to keenly contest and accept the result of a process that is fair, credible and transparent, I appreciate the commendable effort made by the National Working Committee of the APC to correct the erroneous impression maliciously created by certain persons that some aspirants, including myself, had been disqualified from the governorship contest.
“The NWC constituted the authentic screening committee and all 12 aspirants who purchased and completed the nomination forms were successfully screened and subsequently issued clearance certificate. This step was praise worthy and helped in restoring our integrity in the eyes of the public.
“Having being cleared to contest, I regrettably wish to announce my withdrawal from the race. Although painful, this decision has become imperative after an exhaustive consultation with my family, friends, political associates and supporters.
“I make this sacrifice in the interest of the peace and unity that the party desperately requires at both state and national levels, I humbly appeal to the good people of Edo State to accept my decision which is very personal and I promise to be there for them at all times.
“Finally, as a loyal party man, I wish to pledge that my teeming supporters and I shall support any candidate that emerges in the primary election holding on Saturday (today),” he added.
‘Oshiomhole not my godfather’
Meanwhile, a member of the House of Representatives, Dennis Idahosa, who is running for the governorship position in Edo State, has said that a former governor of the state, Adam Oshiomhole has not assured him of his backing, while noting that the former national leader of the party is not his godfather.
Some of the aspirants have accused Oshiomhole of backing Idahosa in the All Progressives Congress primary that will take place on Saturday (today) and have vowed to resist any attempt to impose a candidate on the party.
However, Idahosa said that he visited Oshiomhole to intimate him of his ambition just like every other aspirant did, wondering how such visit could be seen as getting the backing of the former governor of the state.
In an interview with the Saturday PUNCH on Friday, Idahosa said that the top rating he enjoyed among the 12 aspirants was a result of hard work, noting that he has won two elections in Ovia despite coming up against the Igbinedion dynasty.
He expressed surprise that the top rating he was enjoying was causing disaffection in the party, even as he promised to bring everyone on board if he eventually clinched the ticket of the APC.
He also warned those alleging that he was corrupt to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law, adding that he had always served people as a government appointee and two time House of Representatives member.
He said, “I can tell you that Oshiomhole has not said he is backing me. I only visited him like every other aspirant did to intimate him of my ambition, but I began to hear that he has thrown his weight behind me and that Oshiomhole is my godfather.
“I also do not think that my aspiration should cause disaffection among party members. We are all one and we should work for the advancement of the party. I have already proved what I can do by some of the constituency project I have done for his constituency as a Rep member,” he added.
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