Edo: Oshiomhole Consolidates, Poaches Ize Iyamu From PDP

By Fola James

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC Adams Oshiomhole has scored another political point in Edo State.

Oshiomhole who’s in a running battle with Governor Godwin Obaseki over the soul of the party and the state has succeeded in boosting his camp with a prominent politician, Ize Iyamu, the governorship candidate of the opposition PDP in the 2016 governorship election.

Iyamo, a pastor lost the election to Governor Obaseki who at the time was the favorite candidate of the APC chairman for the governorship.

But the once solid relationship has since waxed cold between the two former political allies, to the extent that the rivalry sometimes turned bloody.

Recently, Governor Obaseki was attacked by those considered to be supporters of Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state.

The incident occurred right in the palatial home of the APC boss, where the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu was also present.

Obaseki has blamed the camp of his predecessor for the attack.

But the embattled governor now has much to worry about, considering that Oshiomhole has continued to swell his camp with who is who in the state ahead the 2020 governorship election.

The governor has indicated his interest to stand for the election the second time.  APC Chairman opposed his re-election.

Those that know in the state told the magazine that Iyamu has his eyes fixed in next year’s election, the reason why he dumped PDP for the ruling party.

While leading many of his supporters to APC, the former PDP governorship candidate said he was tired of his party.

He said the PDP has lost the vision of its founding fathers and therefore, the party is no longer relevant in the state.

He explained further that his vision aligned with that of President Muhamadu Buhari, who in his estimation has brought development to the country.

The defection of the former PDP stalwart coincided with the ongoing meeting of APC big wigs in Abuja.

The party had earlier this morning held a caucus meeting, attended by President Buhari, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, his Deputy, Ovie Omo Agege, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC governors and others.

The caucus meeting preceded the National Executive Council meeting holding in few hours in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Among other issues, the NEC is expected to pass a vote of confidence on Oshiomhole, who for sometimes has been trenchantly criticized by top APC chieftains over his failure to hold the NEC.

The NEC meeting is coming on the crest of penultimate week call by the Director General of APC Governor’s Forum, on the party’s chairman to resign his position.

But the magazine learned that the image of the APC boss has been further bolstered in recent times as a result of the victory the party recorded in governorship election in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

Its candidates Governor Yahaya Bello and David Lyon trounced their opponents in the keenly contested elections.

Recently too, President Buhari, the magazine had reported, directed some governors bent on removing the APC chairman to sheathe their swords.

The aggrieved governors are not happy with the fierce political battle in Oshiomhole’s state, Edo where the former labor leader appears bent on denying Governor Obaseki re-election.