The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State is currently emerged in crisis over N200 million election funds allegedly meant for the Edo Professional Drivers on Wheel.
This was revealed on Thursday when a chieftain of the party, Mr Adam Ehigiamusoe, in a press briefing, alleged the party’s governorship candiate in 2020 election in the state, Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu, of embezzlement of fund meant for the elections.
Ehigiamusoe who is the President of the Edo Professional Drivers on Wheel, said Ize-Iyamu’s interest in the APC is self-serving and not for the growth of the party.
READ ALSO: Ize-Iyamu Denies Promising Association N200m During Electioneering
He said the money meant for his trade union to mobilise for the governorship election was never released, adding that Ize-Iyamu held on to the fund inspite of all entreaties to get him release it.
While calling on the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to call Ize-Iyamu to order, he warned that his actions and activities is about “destroying the state chapter of the party.
Ehigiamusoe said that the APC governorship candiate in the last Edo election has succeeded in hijacking the party’s structure to himself.
“Ize-Iyamu was never interested in the growth of the party but what he stands to benefit from the party, he is self-cantered and arrogate everything that comes to himself and cronies.
“As we speak, he has already compromised the forthcoming congress; he has positioned his people to take over every possible position available and that I fear will led to parallel congress being conducted in the state.
“A man who failed to win his local government and even his ward in an election he stood as a candidate should not be allowed to take control of the party.
“Ize-Iyamu’s anticident at destroying party is well known, just the same way he destroyed the PDP before jumping ship is about the same thing he is doing to APC now.
“That is why i am callig on the NWC of the party to heard to my call by calling Ize-Iyamu to order. He must not be allowed to kill the party that we have laboured to build before he (Ize-Iyamu re-joined),” he alleged.
Reacting to the allegaion, Ize-Iyamu described the claim by Ehigiamusoe “as manifestly false.”
Ize-Iyamu who reacted through a statement signed by Mr John Mayaki, said at “no point before, during, or after the campaign did he met with Ehigiamusoe, whether in person or proxy, to offer such “outlandish promise.”
He continues, “My engagements with the transport unions in Edo State during the 2020 election campaign were subjects of sufficient media coverage – similar to meetings held with other representative bodies of stakeholders in the state.
“If any promise was made, it would have been reported and long claimed, not a year after when some persons are understandably attempting to ingratiate themselves with the ruling party because the burden of opposition proves too great for them to bear,” he stated.
On the coming APC congress, he said, “The party hierarchy at the national and state level is responsible for conducting congresses across the country.
“My only involvement is playing my role as a registered member of the party as outlined in the constitution guiding participation.
“I have neither the intention nor desire to manipulate the process. To what end?
READ ALSO: Five APC Caucus Leaders Arraigned For Alleged Hooliganism In Osun
“I do not know what may have motivated Mr Adams Ehigiamusoe’s unwarranted falsehood and attack.
“But I encourage him and others so minded to move on from the 2020 election and commit themselves to strengthening the party and renewing our promise to the people of our dear state who are, daily, yearning for effective representation.
“Notwithstanding, if their political goal is to mend fence with certain blocs, they can pursue that without smearing innocent parties with falsehood to demonstrate allegiance.”
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