Edo rejected Ize-Iyamu in 2016 because they saw he wouldn't be good governor - Wike
- The political battle in Edo state is getting intense as Governor Wike attacked the governorship candidate of the APC, Ize-Iyamu
- Wike said Ize-Iyamu was rejected in the 2016 governorship election in Edo state because the people saw that he wouldn't be a good governor
- Ize-Iyamu who contested on the PDP platform in 2016 was defeated by Obaseki who was the APC candidate
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The governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, has revealed the alleged reason why Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu lost to Governor Godwin Obaseki in the 2016 governorship election in Edo state.
Recall that Ize-Iyamu contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party against Obaseki who was the All Progressives Congress in 2016.
The table has, however, turned as Ize-Iyamu is now the APC governorship candidate while Obaseki has also emerged the candidate of the PDP.
Source: UGC
Governor Wike, one of the PDP governors who facilitated Obaseki's defection to the party, said on Wednesday, July 1, that Ize-Iyamu was rejected by the people of Edo state because they saw he would not be a good governor.
Speaking further, Governor Wike said the election is for the entire people of the south-south region.
"Edo election is not an Obaseki election but for the people of the South South. It is time for the South South to speak with one voice," he tweeted.
Speaking on Rivers state, Governor Wike said he would leave the Government House in 2023 and would stop seeing himself as a governor but as a statesman.
"I would leave on the 29th of May 2023 & after then I wouldn't see myself as a Governor but as a statesman," he said.
"I don't believe in hand picking a successor, that's what is causing problems in most states."
The governor continued: "I am working in my second tenure the same way I worked in my first tenure because I believe I am elected to focus on developing the State for the complete 8 years.
"We are continuing to develop infrastructure while we are tackling Covid. We believe other areas shouldn't be ignored because life would continue after Covid.
"We were elected to solve problems and I wouldn't want to give any excuses to our people."
Meanwhile, Wike's comment is generating heated reactions from Nigerians on social media.
Citizens Alive, @alive_citizens, tweeted: "And who presented him in the last election? PDP did. And would you not have represented him again had he not defected to APC? Wake up Nigerians! Awake from manipulation of politicians."
Gbenga Adaramaja, @GAdaramaja, tweeted: "Mr. Wike he (Ize-Iyamu) had over 47% of the votes cast in 2016 so Edo people didn't reject him. You politicians are the greatest liar in this world."
Baba T, @BabaT44523665, tweeted: "Far from the truth my Excellency. PDP did win that election but result upturned in favour of Obaseki APC then. Even when the election was postponed less than 24hrs to voting just to weaken the PDP then but Ize Iyamu still got overwhelming votes. The records are there."
"You neither from Edo state nor do you live near so let me give you a brief lecture. By 2016, the good people of Edo state had had enough of APC and we desperately needed a change of government and political party," @ThisIsOsaivbie tweeted.
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Meanwhile, there is anxiety in the camp of the APC in Edo state as the party's governorship candidate, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, is set to appear in court on Thursday, July 2, over alleged corruption.
Ize-Iyamu is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering to the tune of N700 million.
Legit.ng gathers that the money was allegedly used to fund the 2015 general elections when Ize-Iyamu was still in the opposition PDP.
Ize-Iyamu is standing trial alongside four others at the Federal High Court, Benin City.
The anti-graft agency, in the suit marked FHC/BE21C/ 2016, said the gubernatorial hopeful and the other accused allegedly collected the public funds for the polls, contrary to the provisions of the EFCC Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
APC sacks NWC, appoints caretaker committee | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
