A major political upset occurred on Friday afternoon in the ongoing horse-trading for the political soul of Edo State as another major contender for the governorship seat under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, withdrew from the race.
Ize-Iyamu’s abrupt withdrawal from the contest closely followed the exit of another contender, Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, popularly known as EJ, from the contest on the grounds of a recent family tragedy he suffered when his son died in the faraway United States of America.
The Saturday Tribune gathered that the leadership of the party at the national level had early on Friday morning concluded to toe the path of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, which had tactically zoned the governorship ticket to Edo Central Senatorial District.
The APC chieftain, who pleaded anonymity, told the Saturday Tribune that the top echelon of the party had concluded to support a particular candidate from Edo Central, who is believed to be the favourite of the power that be.
The source, who spoke to the Saturday Tribune shortly before Pastor Ize-Iyamu addressed a press conference to announce his withdrawal, said that “the information we had this morning is that President Bola Tinubu asked that the ticket be zoned to Edo Central just like the PDP is doing.”
According to him, “the president stepped in to address another crisis in the Edo APC because one of the leaders of the party has concluded plans to impose an unpopular candidate on the party at tomorrow’s (today) Congress.”.
But speaking on his withdrawal from the race, Ize-Iyamu said that he was not under any pressure to do so, just as he assured the party that he would support whoever emerged as the candidate.
The clergyman-turned-politician added that he had wider consultations with his supporters before arriving at the decision to drop out of the race.
This was just as he disclosed that he had communicated his decision via a letter to the national chairman of the party.
The text of the letter addressed to the National Chairman of the party reads in parts:
“A few months ago, after extensively interacting with family, friends, political associates, and supporters, I joined the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial race as a result of my passion and commitment to the cause of rescuing Edo State from its current condition of decrepitude.
“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 (NWC) of the APC to correct the erroneous impression maliciously created by certain persons that some aspirants, including myself, had been disqualified from the gubernatorial contest.
“The NWC constituted the authentic screening committee, and all twelve aspirants who purchased and completed the nomination forms were successfully screened and subsequently issued a clearance certificate. This step was praiseworthy and helped restore our integrity in the eyes of the public.
“Having been 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.
“Thankfully. I acknowledge the fatherly role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as well as the party’s national leadership for their fairness and commitment to the democratic process. Likewise, I remain grateful to the state’s working committee for their principled stand to allow a level playing field for all aspirants.
“I am extremely appreciative to my family, friends, supporters, well-wishers, and the extraordinarily hardworking men and women of our campaign organisation who were prepared to stop at nothing to see me fly the party’s flag. I salute your great works, your steadfastness, and your courage.
“Finally, as a loyal party man, I wish to pledge that I and my teeming supporters shall support any candidate that emerges in the primary election held tomorrow.”
The Saturday Tribune recalls that there has been agitation for the governorship ticket to go to Edo Central Senatorial District, a zone that has not occupied the seat since the beginning of the current political dispensation in 1999, save for the ephemeral period that Professor Osareime Osunbor occupied the position before he was removed by the courts following the petition filed by Comrade Adams Oshimhole of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
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