A former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on Wednesday picked the nomination form for the Edo governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Mr Ize-Iyamu emerged the consensus candidate for a faction of the APC in Edo led by the party’s national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday night.
He will be challenging the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, for the party’s ticket during its direct primary slated for June 22.
Edo residents will then head to the polls on September 19.
In a statement by his campaign organisation signed by the Director of Communication and Media, John Mayaki, Ize-Iyamu described his purchase of the expression of interest and nomination forms as another stride in the quest to move Edo State forward.
He said: “By obtaining the forms today (Wednesday), we have formally placed our name on the party’s ballot for our internal primary next month (June 22). It is another great stride and we are thankful to the other aspirants who have joined us here today to offer support.
“There have been efforts to cause disunity in our party and pitch people against one another by those who have sadly embraced politics without principles and are openly rebelling against the leadership of our party, because they believe they have absolute powers. It is clear from today’s (Wednesday’s) event that Edo State APC is united and these deviants may have a loud voice, but they do not represent the majority.
“Everyone here may have personal ambitions, but we are bound together by the common desire to fast-track the transformation of our state, through transparent, effective and accountable governance that will improve the living standard and social well-being of our people. We all recognise that this cannot happen, unless we dislodge the present administration that has failed this great party and the people of Edo State.
“An accepted truth is that Edo State needs a government that is alert, proactive and prompt. Not the one that has scant regard for the rule of law and seeks to gain an unfair and undemocratic advantage through the manipulation of serious matters of public health.”
