The Lagos State Government on Wednesday dismissed allegations made by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his Kaduna State counterpart, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, were in Edo State for the election.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, the government described the allegations by the PDP candidate as reckless and disgraceful.
Mr Ayorinde, while clarifying the position of the government said Governor Ambode was presently overseas for an official assignment and in any case had no business being in Edo on Election Day.
“The Lagos State Governor served as the chairman campaign council constituted by the All Progressives Congress and his duty ended 24 hours before the election because no campaign was supposed to hold 24 hours to the election and having completed his assignment which included appearing with President Muhammadu Buhari at the grand rally in Edo State earlier in the month, Governor Ambode has no reason to return to Edo State on election day and for this sort of lie to have been peddled by a candidate who is supposed to be a pastor, is reckless and disgraceful,” the commissioner said.
Ayorinde said Mr Ambode had clearly enumerated his position on the election during the grand finale of the campaign when he said that like Lagos where continuity has moved perfectly well, Edo State also deserves continuity in governance.
“That message has been passed and has been accepted by majority of Edo indigenes and therefore there would not be any need for the governor to return to Edo on Election Day. The general public and security operatives are hereby advised to ignore the desperate lies of Pastor Ize-Iyamu,” Ayorinde said.
