Ahead of Saturday’s primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, one of its aspirants, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has withdrawn from the governorship race.

Daily Trust reports that 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.

However, there are indications that Senator Adams Oshiomhole, leader of the APC in Edo, is rooting for Dennis Idahosa, another aspirant.

Although Oshiomhole has not publicly endorsed Idahosa, his loyalists and supporters have been mobilising for the aspirant.

It was Oshiomhole, who led the battle for Ize-Iyamu to unseat Obaseki four years ago, but the governor survived.

Addressing journalists in Benin, the state capital, Ize-Iyamu said his decision to quit the race was in the interest of peace and unity of the party at the state as well as the national level.

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.”

“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”

“As a loyal party man, I pledged that I and my teeming supporters shall support any candidate that emerges in the primary election,” he said.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State is Chairman of the seven-member team that will conduct the primary. (Daily Trust)

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