Edo Guber: At Last Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu Set To Clash

By Fola James

On June 22, the embattled Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki will square it up with other aspirants who are bent on denying him a second term ticket.

Leading the packs is Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a pastor in the Redeem Christian Church of God, RCCG and former Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.

Ize Iyamu had earlier been picked by a faction of the party led by Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC who has vowed to stop Obaseki, from re-election.

Former allies, Oshiomhole and Governor Obaseki have fallen out over the control of the soul of the party in the state.

The two factions have also disagreed over the mode to be adopted to pick the party’s candidate for the governorship election slated for September.

But on Thursday, the APC said it was now prepared to screen six governorship aspirants in preparation for the June 22, 2020 Primary Election to decide the party’s Edo State governorship candidate.

Apart from Governor Obaseki, other aspirants that have collected the nomination forms, according to the party are Dr. Pius Odubu, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Hon. Osaro Obazee and Hon. Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen..

The party said the screening will be done without favor to any of the aspirants.

APC said in a statement that “In our bid to ensure due diligence and transparency in the screening exercise and learning from our recent shocking experiences, we are determined to avoid any lapses in the process.

Therefore, we are making the submitted information and documents of the governorship aspirants available to our party members and the public for verification of claims and to support the screening panel with information or any objection to the claims contained in the submission by the aspirants”

The statement by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa Onilu said  “Consequently, the various submissions will be displayed at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja and in Benin City, the Edo State capital from Monday 8th to Tuesday 9th June, 2020 for claims and objections.

We are inviting party members and indeed members of the public to assist the screening committee by scrutinising the information, credentials and documents provided by the governorship aspirants and availing the Screening Committee of counter and correct information, if applicable.”

The party stated that its action is line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.

APC had earlier released its time table and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2020 Governorship Primary Elections in Edo States.

The party said the sales of expression of interest forms which began on May 20 has now ended.