…PDP Expresses Dissatisfaction Over Ize-iyamu’s Plea

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National chairman, Comrade Adam Oshiomhole and the party candidate in the September 19, 2020 Edo State Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, have urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to be magnanimous in victory and look at ways of bringing in the House of Assembly members-elect, who did not present themselves for inauguration.

In a letter written to the Governor by Oshiomhole and made available to journalists by his media aide, Victor Oshioke on Monday, congratulated Obaseki on his Supreme Court victory.

The letter reads: “Congratulations on your victory at the Supreme Court which has effectively laid to rest all matters arising from the last election. As I had repeatedly reminded you during our several meetings, our relationship has, through the years, developed beyond being friends to being brothers of different parents.

“Whatever happened is unfortunate and I believe God has a reasons for everything. I have put all behind me and moved on. As I have consistently advised, please be magnanimous in victory. You are the Governor of all Edo people regardless of political leanings.

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“Once again, congratulations Exellency! Please accept the renewed assurances of my very best wishes and high regards.”

On his part, Ize-Iyamu appealed to Governor Obaseki to consider the pertinent issue of the 14 constituencies that are presently without representation at the State House of Assembly.

He said: “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”, Ize-Iyamu said in a letter he sent to Obaseki to congratulate him on his victory at the Supreme Court.

He continues, “I also urge the Governor to intervene in the issue of elected Local Government Chairmen, Vice-chairmen, Councilors and Supervisory Councillors, 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.”

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“Last Friday’s judgement 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, moreso 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 Councillors, 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”.

However, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, in its response through it publicity secretary, Chris Nehikhare, said they were not impressed with the congratulatory message of Ize-Iyamu.

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The statement reads in part, “Now that it is clear that the APC booby traps of unwarranted, unnecessary, mindless and malicious court cases have collapsed, we have entered the season of congratulatory messages.

“Edo PDP thanks all Nigerians especially Edo people that have congratulated us and of course His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki on the resounding victory he recorded at the Supreme Court on Friday, May 28, 2021.

“We were pleasantly surprised to stumble upon a letter from Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC candidate in the last governorship election, who incidentally, would have been the main beneficiary had the Supreme Court ruled against Governor Obaseki, PDP and by extension, a vast majority of Edo people.”