By Uche Mbah
The Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the just concluded Governorship elections in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, says he will not challenge the results of the election of the Governorship elections. He will, however, continue with the pre-election cases already in court.
In a release, Monday, he personally signed, Ize Iyamu noted that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, already has cases in court before the elections in connection with the Edo elections.
Noting that the elections were not devoid of violence (according to him, two people were killed), and that the card readers malfunctioned in some places, he had decided not to go to court “to avoid further tension in the state.”
“We are also mindful that the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and many well-placed individuals have made pronouncements endorsing the process, which we have chosen to respect”, he said.
“Nonetheless, we must emphasize that elections are far more than actual voting, just as democracy includes more than just elections. It is in this light that we draw attention to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its flagbearers have continued to pursue several pre-election suits in various courts against us, all totaling 13. One such cases came up in the High Court, Benin on 2nd October 2020, days after the election.
“On our part, we had filed two pre-election cases against the PDP and its flagbearer, challenging their eligibility to contest the election. These are all lawful and integral parts of the electoral process in any democracy, which we must all respect and acknowledge as genuine democrats.
“The outcome of these pending cases has a direct effect on the election. Consequently, we have decided to continue with our pre-election cases in full exercise of our legal rights, just as our opponents have considered it their prerogative to also continue with their pre-election cases against us. “
While thanking religious leaders” for their prayers and intercessions throughout the campaign and even thereafter”, he urged indigenes of the state to continue to be law-abiding.
Ize Iyamu lost the September 19 election to the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, in an election that was generally regarded as free and fair.
