Ize-Iyamu In Esan Land: PDP, APC Give Contrary Reports

By GWG Staff

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC were on Monday giving contradictory accounts of the outcome of the APC’s campaign visit to Edo Central.

While the APC hailed a successful outing especially with Esan monarchs, the PDP on the contrary alleged that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu the APC candidate was chased out of the palace of the Onogie of Igueben following a brawl between the Onogie of Uromi and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The APC’s visit was largely expected to be a testy one for Ize-Iyamu following perceptions about his political ally Oshiomhole not being liked in Esan land.

In his last year as governor Oshiomhole had slapped an indefinite suspension on the Onogie of Uromi and the sanction was only removed after Godwin Obaseki came to power.

It was as such not surprising that ahead of the Monday visit that there were expectations of controversy around the visit.

APC Account

The APC in a statement put out by its campaign spokesman, John Miyaki said the visitors were well received at the palace of the Onogie before going to engage other stakeholders.

According to the APC media handlers, “in Igueben LGA, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his running mate, Mallam Gani Audu, alongside other party leaders including former Governor of the State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, paid homage to the Onojie of Igueben Kingdom, HRH Ehizogie Ailuojerio I, in his palace and obtained his blessings.

He quoted the APC candidate as lamenting the exclusion of traditional rulers in governance and promised to partner with the traditional institutions in the state to tackle the problem of insecurity and develop policies and measures that would address the real needs of the people, including easy and secure access to rural farmlands.

He also accused the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki of running with a deceitful ‘Esan Agenda’ as a ploy to gain sympathetic votes, stating that the Governor’s actions in the last four years have brought no development to the Esan people.

According to him, Governor Godwin Obaseki overlooked the Esan people when presented with opportunities to include them in his administration and campaign, citing the replacement of his former Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele, and the appointment of his campaign DG with people from Edo South where he also hails from.

The statement also said that Oshiomole was received with much applause at the palace of the Onogie.

PDP

The PDP on its part alleged that Ize-Iyamu and the immediate past national chairman, of the APC, Oshiomhole and the party’s candidate, Ize-Iyamu were chased out of the palace of the Onojie of Igueben, HRH Ehizojie Eluojierior II.

State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, who spoke on behalf of the PDP Campaign Council, said “the treatment handed the APC candidate and his campaign guide, Adams Oshiomhole, was the fulfillment of a Bible prediction that the sins of fathers will be visited upon their sons.”

Nehikhare said: “We read with delight a news report on the rejection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the September 19 gubernatorial election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his campaign guide, Adams Oshiomhole by Esan Monarchs at the palace of the Onojie of Igueben, HRH Ehizojie Eluojierior II on Monday August 10, 2020.”

He noted that: “The APC does not deserve anything less than the harsh reception its members received in Igueben,” and assured the opposition party that “worse treatments await their campaign train as they move from ward-to-ward in the state.”

He stressed, “Edo people do not want thugs and assassins in their political space anymore. I congratulate our traditional rulers in Esan land for rejecting the opposition party and its candidate. Governor Obaseki has raised the bar with regard to the quality of people that should occupy Edo State Government House.

“He is a credible candidate; he is sophisticated and relies on the rule of law to provide purposeful governance. Edo people are comfortable and Okay with him.

“We also read that the two APC leaders embarked on war of words after their rejection by the Esan traditional rulers in Igueben. Again, this confirms the fears we have expressed at several fora that the APC candidate and his tour guide are merchants of violence and we have urged security agencies to monitor their activities closely, so that they will not disrupt the September 19 poll.”

The media reported on Monday that Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu engaged in war of words over their rejection by Esan Monarchs.

The report said: “Efforts by candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19 gubernatorial election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu to make inroads into Edo Central Senatorial District, were on Monday rejected as he was sent out of the palace of the Onojie of Igueben, HRH Ehizojie Eluojierior II.

“A palace source who witnessed the humiliation of the APC candidate, who was in company of the former national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, said the unwanted visitors were told to leave Esan land as the APC neglected the region for the eight years Oshiomhole was governor of the state.

According to the report: “The two unwanted visitors engaged in hot exchange of unpleasant words in Igueben, after they were told to leave Esan land by the monarchs who had converged on Igueben for the cold reception.

“In the ensuing hot exchange of words, Ize-Iyamu blamed Oshiomhole for his woes in Esan land and other parts of Edo State where they have faced similar rejection, since the party commenced campaigns.

“We overheard Oshiomhole saying he couldn’t be blamed for all Ize-Iyamu’s problems. The former APC national chairman said there can be no smoke without fire, and told the governorship candidate to be courageous enough to take responsibility for some of his past actions.”

“The monarchs also cited the humiliation and dethronement of the Onojie of Uromi, His Royal Highness Anselm Aidenojie II, for their action, the report added. 

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