By Elvis Omoregie, Benin
It was a carnival-like gathering at the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat on Wednesday in Benin, as Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, formally declared his intention to contest the Edo 2024 governorship election under the platform of the APC.
Addressing Party Executive and the mammoth crowd that beseeched the APC Secretariat, Ize-Iyamu, said he is the aspirant to beat in the whole election following his proven track records of development and popularity in the state.
He advised the APC to field its best candidate for the September 2024 governorship election, noting that the party can not afford to remain in opposition, hence, the election, a must win for the party.
Ize-Iyamu said that the state is in dire need of a governor who will bring all round development to the state, not the one that will discriminate against the people.
He added that with his vast understanding of politics and workings of government, he, Ize-Iyamu is best suitable for the governorship position in the state, this is just as he promised to rely on his rebranded “SIMPLE AGENDA” for his developmental road-map for the state.
“Edo needs a governor that has a roadmap for development and progress, someone who understands the workings of government and not a total stranger.
“We want a governor that will see Edo as its own, develop the state, not a governor with tribal sentiment. We want a governor that will relate with the party and have regular sessions with the party.
“I am a core party man and I want to appeal to our leaders and party members to nominate me as candidate of the APC in the election and I will provide rapid development for the people
“I have come to formally tell you that I want to run for the governorship election in Edo under the platform of the APC. I came to seek your support,” he said
Ize-Iyamu, who was visibly optimistic about winning the party ticket and the governorship election remarked that the APC in Edo lost the 2020 guber poll not because the party nor its candidate was not on ground or popular, but some of its leaders and governors allegedly sold out and betrayed the APC to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The APC did not win the 2020 governorship in Edo not because the party was not on ground nor had an unpopular candidate, but because some of the leaders and governors of the APC worked against the party,” he said.
The APC governorship aspirant commended the party for jettisoning the zoning agitation in the party, adding that it was the best way to go for the APC, which according to him will afford the APC to field its best for the election.
He also thanked the party executive for not allowing the APC to go into extinction despite losing the 2024 gubernatorial election.