Afrigather Osagie Ize-Iyamu, one of many main aspirants for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the gubernatorial election in September, has backed out from the Saturday’s major election.
BusinessDay studies that Ize-Iyamu, was a two-time governorship candidate: first on the platform of the Folks’s Democratic Get together (PDP) in 2016 and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2020.
The previous Secretary to the Edo State Authorities in the course of the administration of Fortunate Igbinedion introduced his withdrawal from the governorship race in a letter dated February 16, 2024 and addressed to the Nationwide Chairman of the occasion, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The letter was additionally copied to Jarrett Tenebe, the Edo State Appearing chairman of the occasion.
Ize-Iyamu stated he made the sacrifice to withdraw from the race within the curiosity of peace and unity that the occasion’s “desperately require” at each on the state and nationwide ranges.
Whereas noting that the choice was taken after exhaustive consultations with household, mates, political associates and supporters, he, nevertheless, described the choice as painful.
He opined that, he joined the governorship race on account of his ardour and dedication to the reason for rescuing Edo State from its present situation of decrepitude.
In line with him, “few months in the past, after extensively interacting with household, mates, political associates, and supporters, | joined the 2024 Edo state gubernatorial race on account of my ardour and dedication to the reason for rescuing Edo state from its present situation of decrepitude.
“Having being cleared to contest. | regrettably want to announce my withdrawal from the race though painful, this resolution has turn into crucial after an exhaustive session with my household, mates, political associates and supporters.
“| make this sacrifice within the curiosity of the peace and unity that the occasion desperately requires at each state and nationwide ranges.”
He added that he entered the competition as a progressive democrat, with an open thoughts to keenly contest and settle for the results of a course of that’s truthful, credible and clear.
He, nevertheless, counseled the efforts made by the Nationwide Working Committee (NWC) of the occasion, for correcting the faulty impression that was maliciously created by sure individuals that some aspirants together with himself have been disqualified from the gubernatorial contest by a controversial screening committee.
“The NWC constituted the genuine screening committee and all twelve aspirants who bought and accomplished the nomination varieties have been efficiently screened and subsequently issued learance certificates.
“This step was praise-worthy and helped in restoring our integrity within the eyes of the general public,” he added.
He, nevertheless, appealed to the folks of the state and his supporters to simply accept his resolution, which he famous was very private and promised to be there for them always.
Ize-Iyamu, who, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fatherly function in addition to the occasion’s Nationwide management for the equity and dedication to the democratic course of, additionally counseled the state working committee for his or her principled stand to permit a degree enjoying discipline for all aspirants.
He promised to assist any candidate that emerges within the major as a loyal occasion man.
