It was celebration galore on Wednesday in Benin City as thousands of enthusiastic supporters of frontline governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu trooped out en masse during his formal announcement to seek the party’s ticket in the forthcoming primary.
Amidst roaring cheers by his supporters at the carnival like ceremony which held at the party secretariat on Airport Road, resulting in traffic hold up, Pastor Ize-Iyamu gave reasons why he was in the race for the third time.
While vehemently kicking against ethnicization of Edo politics, he said that what the state warned is a governor with a pan-Edo outlook and not one who sees the state and the people from an ethnic binoculars.
He declares: “Edo needs a governor that has a roadmap for development and progress of the state, 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 and not a governor with tribal sentiments. We want a governor that will relate with the party and have regular session with the party.”
Pastor Ize-Iyamu recalled that during his days as a student leader in the University of Benin, he was the youth leader of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and actively supported Prof. Ambrose Alli from Esan to become governor of the old Bendel State because of his strong belief in the oneness of Edo people.
He continued: “Similarly, it is common knowledge my role in the election of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from Etsako, Edo North in the 2007 and 2012 Governorship elections.
“It is impossible for me to discriminate on any basis because my motivation in politics is the admonition by Jesus Christ that “let your light so shine among men so they shall see your good works and glorify your father in heaven”. So I endeavour my light to shine in the midst of darkness, and that light is not for some, but for all.”
Pastor Ize-Iyamu admitted that the principal reason for agitation or for cry of marginalization in the state is hinged on the failure of government to deliver on its mandate, adding:
“Stemming from this, I am aware of the importance of electing a competent state chief executive who would stay focused on the discharge of his duties; who would see to the development of every nook and cranny of the three senatorial districts simultaneously.”
He called on the ruling party to field its best candidate for the election which is scheduled for September 2024 as it can no longer afford to play a second fiddle.
Sounding upbeat, the former Secretary to Edo State Government explained that with his wide experience as a politician and workings of government, he is the best amongst the pack of APC governorship aspirants.
The governorship hopeful commended the party for not listening to the agitation for zoning the governorship ticket to any of the three senatorial districts, insisting that it was the best way for the APC to field its best for the election.
A pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, he noted that in line with his upbringing and pastoral calling, each time he sees an Edo indigene, he does not see a Benin, an Esan, an Etsako, an Owan, an Akoko-Edo, an Ika, an Ijaw or a Hausa, an Igbo or a Yoruba, adding that he sees is an Edo person, whether indigene or a resident.
If given the mandate, he promised to faithfully implement his rebrand “SIMPLE AGENDA” which aims for an even developmental road-map for the entire state.