Edo 2020: Court nullifies candidacy of Ize-Iyamu’s Running Mate

…Ize-Iyamu vows to appeal judgment

By Ayo Fadimu

A High Court sitting in Edo state has nullified the candidacy of Audu Ganiyu, running mate of candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19, 2020, governorship election in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had filed a suit against Ganiyu whom he said was not qualified to contest the election because he provided false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Consequently, he had had asked the court to disqualify Ize-Iyamu’s running mate.

In a judgement in Benin, the state capital on Wednesday, the presiding judge, Justice Courage-Ogbebor, held that Ganiyu presented false information to INEC in his Form EC9.

Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja had in December 2020 disqualified a suit seeking the disqualification of Ganiyu in the election.

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) had also filed the suit and alleged that he presented forged documents presented to INEC.

Candidate of the PDP, Godwin Obaseki, defeated Ize-Iyamu in the election to secure a second term in office.

However, in a press statement, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu described the ruling as “unfortunate and utterly wrong”.and vowed to appeal the ruling.

“I have already instructed my Counsel to appeal against the judgment, as I am convinced that the Court of Appeal will dispassionately consider the facts presented before the Court and arrive at a just decision in accordance with the law,” he said.

He also urged his supporters in the state and beyond to remain calm and law-abiding, while expressing confidence that justice will prevail in the matter.