The emergence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the consensus candidate of a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State loyal to the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, sets the stage for a battle with Godwin Obaseki at the direct primary.
According to media reports, Ize-Iyamu, a former Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG) emerged on Tuesday night in Abuja through consensus arrangement.
Ize-Iyamu alongside three other candidates, including former Minister of State for Works Chris Ogiemwonyi; ex-Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu and Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd.), were screened by a committee made up of Senator Francis Alimikhena, the representative of Edo North Senatorial District; Lucky Imasuen; Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe; ex-Edo Speaker Thomas Okosun; former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives Samson Osagie; Patrick Obahiagbon and Peter Akpatason.
Solomon Edebiri had dropped out of the race on Tuesday morning.
A Chieftain of the APC told the Nation that Ize-Iyamu emerged the consensus candidate because of his popularity and teeming supporters across the three senatorial districts of Edo State. Ize-Iyamu’s performance as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the 2016 governorship election was also considered, the Nation reports.
Political analysts are of the view that the real battle is between Adams Oshiomhole and the incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki. There is little love lost between the APC National Chairman and the Governor. The fight over who controls the party, has polarised Edo APC.
A direct primary election will hold on June 22, where Ize-Iyamu, with the backing of the machinery of the APC at the national level, will confront Governor Obaseki.
” So all that insinuations about using somebody’s resources…I became Governor on the platform of the party and I am grateful for it.
“It does not matter whether it is direct or indirect (primaries), I will win,” Governor Obaseki said.
Observers say Obaseki might witness a playout of the politics that cut short former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s second term ambition in Lagos State. Mr. Ambode fell out of favour with the leader of the APC in the State, Asiwaju Tinubu. The party endorsed a direct primary and Mr Ambode lost to Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
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