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By Sylvanus Ofekun
Ahead of the much anticipated governorship elections in Edo state, Leaders and Patriots drawn from various Edo State Associations of Ethnic Groups residing in the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday, endorsed the candidacy of Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu as their preferred choice for the September 19 elections.
Speaking at the forum’s meeting, the President of the Committee of Edo Leaders and Patriots of FCT, Hon. Isaac Ehigiator said the forum have carefully scrutinized the credentials and antecedents of the two contending aspirants, hence their choice for the APC Governorship candidate of Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu.
Hon. Ehigiator noted that the committee will move round the six area councils of the FCT to mobilize over fifty thousand Edo indigenes whose Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is registered in Edo state.
“Let me quickly say, the committee had the opportunity of scrutinizing the credentials, antecedents and programmer/manifestos for the project as presented by contending aspirants. It is our view and our conviction that our dear state deserves better, the task of repositioning Edo state should therefore be holistic and driven with sincerity of purpose, emotional intelligence and respect for the tradition as well as all other leaders involved in the greater Edo project for the good will of all, home or in diaspora.”
“Furthermore, it must be emphasized that Edo boast of more than 50,000 indigents resident in the FCT with voting right domicile in Edo state. Going forward, I want to affirm on behalf of the committee of Edo Leaders and Patriots that the manifesto as presented by Pastor. Osagie Ize Iyamu of APC as vividly captured in the SIMPLE Agenda program for the greater Edo project represents the true desires and aspirations of all Edo sons and daughters irrespective of where they reside anywhere in the world.’’ Hon Ehigiator added.
In his response, the candidate of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu who was represented by the APC Director General of Edo South Governorship Campaign Organization, Hon.Samson Osagie thanked the forum for finding the candidate of the APC worthy as the next governor of Edo state.
The former federal lawmaker listed the challenges confronting governance in Edo state, stating that the government of Godwin Obaseki had deviated from the party’s plans and has engaged in propaganda. He said that the good people of the state have lost touch with governance unlike what was felt during the tenure of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
“I want to thank members of this forum and all Edo Indigenes residing in FCT. Our state has been confronting the challenge of governance for almost four years.
Contrary to media propaganda of the governor and his government, a lot is left undone in governance and its impact is being felt by the people of Edo state. As member of the All Progressive Congress APC, a platform on whom the governor was elected in 2016, the expectation of the party and the vast majority of the people was very high and the disappointment began to show in the middle of his tenure when he (Gov. Obaseki) deviated from the plans of the party and he declared war on members of his own political party. You will agree with me that the government is not attempting to construct infrastructure.
Government is all about the people but contrary to what we found about the posture of the man we elected as governor, who we thought that would have turned Edo into industrial hub. Rather than construct infrastructure, the governor engaged in imaginary fight. Our schools are in pitiable condition and it will interest you to know that the government has not employed a single teacher for almost four years .In secondary schools, what you will find is a principal and four teachers. The school blocks constructed by our former Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole lack maintenance.
The governor promised 200,000 jobs but you cannot find anyone engaged by the government of Obaseki in Edo state. When his former Chief of Staff asked questions about this claim of jobs provided, he was vilified. The governor has failed, because ordinary a governor who has done well getting a second tenure shouldn’t have been a problem. The party has now recognized a home grown candidate to implement the development projects of Edo state and not one who will sign MOUs with over 20 countries with nothing to show.
The APC decided to choose a Pastor with the Redeem Church of God, a former SSG, a former Chief of Staff member of the APC constitution drafting committee and a former governorship of the PDP in 2016.”Hon.Osagie stated.
The former Minority Whip at the Sixth National Assembly went on to explain the SIMPLE Agenda of Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, promising that the APC candidate will not disappoint the people of Edo state if elected.
Present at the meeting was a former lawmaker representing Ovia Federal constituency, Bar. West Idahosa, Hon. Isaac Osahon and other notable Edo sons and daughters.
