Why Ize-Iyamu Was Chosen To Fight Obaseki

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s emergence as the consensus aspirant of the associates of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to challenge Governor Godwin Obaseki for the All Progressives Congress, APC Edo State governorship ticket was upon an assessment of the various political factors in the race.

The choice of Ize-Iyamu follows the joint resolution of the aspirants on May 4 where it was agreed that one person be chosen as the aspirant to contest against Obaseki in the party primary.

The other aspirants who subscribed to the consensus agreement were Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, Dr. Pius Odubu, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, and Mr. Saturday Uwelekhue.

The others were Prof. Frederick Amadasun, Mr Ehiozuwa Agbonayima. Mr. Solomon Edebiri withdrew before the agreement was reached late on Tuesday.

Ize-Iyamu was considered primarily because of his towering political stature and structures in the state which has seen him practically involved in all the governorship elections that have been conducted in the state since the advent of the Fourth Republic.

He was the campaign manager for Lucky Igbinedion in 1999 and also in 2003. In 2007 while serving as Secretary to the State Government he was the indirect manager for Adams Oshiomhole having appointed his cousin, Prof. Omo Omoruyi to do the job.

He was the one who reportedly brought Dr. Pius Odubu to join the Oshiomhole ticket in 2007.

He took over the job in 2012 and managed Oshiomhole to success for a second term. His only electoral loss ironically was when he presented himself for the job in 2016 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP when he was defeated by Godwin Obaseki. The PDP in fact believe that he won that election.

His experience over the years has indeed given him a solid political structure over the state which towers above all others among the consensus group. Ize-Iyamu is said to have followers in virtually every political unit in the state with the ability to mobilise political forces at any time.

Pastor as he is popularly known is also known to be the choice of many APC national leaders reportedly including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu given his role in the formation of the APC. He was the national vice-chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

Even more, the choice would also be a way of Comrade Oshiomhole soothing his conscience after the incidents that forced Ize-Iyamu out of the party in 2014.

However, Ize-Iyamu has his job cut out for him this time.

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