TELL Magazine

…As he finally Congratulates Obaseki on Election Victory

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the September 19, 2020 governorship election in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu has finally accepted the outcome of the hard fought election. Ize-yamu’s action followed the judgment of the Supreme Court on Friday which dismissed a certificate forgery suit instituted against the governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Godwin Obaseki, by the APC and a member of the party, Williams Edobor. The party had lost at both the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal. The pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, and former secretary to Edo State government, SSG had resolved not to challenge the outcome of the fierce and bitter electoral battle.

In a personally signed congratulatory letter to the governor on Monday, Ize-Iyamu also appealed to Obaseki for an out-of-court settlement in the protracted case involving the 14 members of the state House of Assembly whose seats were declared vacant by the government-backed minority legislature. The APC candidate had in an earlier statement on Saturday, appreciated his supporters and party faithful for their gallantry while the struggle lasted.

Ize-Iyamu’s congratulatory letter reads: “Last Friday’s judgment of the Supreme Court puts an end to the series of litigations we had over last year’s governorship elections. For the records, Your Excellency, your supporters had instituted thirteen (13) different pre-election cases against my deputy and I; all seeking to disqualify us from participating in the election. On our part, our party, the APC had only one case against Your Excellency and your party.

“We also deliberately did not go to the Elections Tribunal, not because we did not have issues, but because we felt it was better to allow you face the job at hand, more so as our party at the National level had congratulated you. We are happy that all these cases have come to an end. Now that it is all over, please accept my congratulations.

“Having said that, I want to appeal to you to kindly consider the pertinent issues of the 14 constituencies, including the two in your local government – Oredo and the two in your deputy’s local government – Etsako West, that are presently without representation at the Edo State Assembly. Though the matter is in court, you are in a vantage position to consider an out-of-court settlement of the issue in the overall interest of our state.

“Your Excellency would also do well to intervene in the issue of elected Local Government Chairmen, Vice-chairmen, Councilors and Supervisory Councilors who, sometime ago, were suspended and removed from office. Our appeal is that you consider paying them their entitlements since it is now late for them to return to their offices. This can also be through the out-of-court settlement.

“Your Excellency, for us in the APC, as the opposition party in the state, we have a duty to ensure that your government does the right thing always.
Once again, I congratulate Your Excellency and I wish you well”.

In his reaction to the apex court’s verdict, Ize-Iyamu said in his statement titled ‘BECAUSE WE WERE GALLANT, OUR HOPE IS ALIVE’, thanked all his supporters and loyal party men and women for their “unwavering commitment and sacrifice” to the advancement of Edo State and urged them to be law-abiding and to be of good cheer.
According to him, “What matters most is that our party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) stood up for what we believe in. We stood up for the placement of our people at the epicenter of governance which is a sharp departure from the norm. As such, let no grievances and no embittered feelings impair the force of our efforts”.

He urged party members to look forward to “coming together to reorganize and position our party to win again” stressing that “This is in service to our beloved state”.
Ize-Iyamu, who had contested the governorship of the state twice, first on the platform of the PDP, and then the APC, thanked God for the opportunity to seek the office.