Two-Time Candidate, Ize-Iyamu Withdraws From APC Primary, Quits Edo Governorship Race

Ize-Iyamu has contested the Edo State governorship seat twice. First in 2016, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and in 2020 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Barely 24 hours to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary for Edo State September governorship poll, one of its aspirants, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has withdrawn from the race.

Ize-Iyamu, who contested against incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki in 2016 and 2020, was among the 12 governorship aspirants cleared by the party’s screening committee led by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.

SaharaReporters reported on February 13, that Prof. Sylvester Akhaine, one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants for the September 21, Edo State Gubernatorial election also announced the suspension of his campaign till further notice

SaharaReporters reported on Saturday that the seven-member National Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) cleared 12 aspirants including Prof. Akhaine for participation in its February 17 primary for the September election.

The Director General of the Sylvester Odion Akhaine Campaign Organisation, Prof. Felix Oriakhi, announced suspension in statement made available to SaharaReporters.

However, addressing journalists on Friday in Benin, Ize-Iyamu, who contested the Governorship elections four years ago to unseat incumbent Governor Obaseki, said his decision to quit the race was in the interest of peace and unity of the party.

Ize-Iyamu has contested the Edo State governorship seat twice. First in 2016, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and in 2020 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ize-Iyamu commended the efforts made by the national working committee of the party to correct the impression created by certain persons that some aspirants including himself had been disqualified from the gubernatorial contest.

“The NWC constituted the authentic screening committee and all 12 aspirants who purchased and completed the nomination forms were successfully screened and subsequently issued clearance certificates. This step has helped in restoring our integrity in the eyes of the public,” he said.

He explained that having been cleared to contest the primary, “I regrettably wish to announce my withdrawal from the race after consultation with my family, friends, political associates and supporters.

“I make this sacrifice in the interest of peace and unity of our party desperately need at the state and national level.”

Ize-Iyamu, however, pledged to support any candidate that emerges in the Saturday’s primary with his teeming supporters.

The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who is the Chairman of the seven-member team that will conduct the primary was said to have landed in Edo State ahead of tomorrow’s primary.