…APC candidate’s suits will fail, says PDP
EDO State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the September 19 election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has said he will not challenge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration of Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the poll at the election petitions tribunal.
Rather, the APC chieftain said he would continue with the two pre-election cases in court against the PDP, Obaseki and his running mate, Philip Shaibu, challenging their eligibility to contest the election.
But the ruling PDP in the state has said the suits will not achieve any good result.
Ize-Iyamu, a former Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), announced this yesterday in Benin, the state capital, in a statement he personally signed.
The APC candidate insisted that the election was not free and fair, as claimed in some quarters, saying two persons died over the poll.
He said: “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 PDP and its standard-bearers (Obaseki and Shaibu) have continued to pursue many pre-election suits in various courts against us, all totalling 13. One of such cases came up in the High Court of Benin on October 2, 2020, days after the election.
“On our part, we had filed two pre-election cases against the PDP and its standard bearers, 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 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.
“Our cause to uplift our state, using the democratic system, is a noble mission, from which we shall never waiver. As law-abiding citizens, we must all continue to believe in the electoral process as an important part of the democratic system, as it remains the best method of choosing who leads the people, devoid of violence and avoidable acrimony.”
Ize-Iyamu alluded to some places where alleged electoral malpractices occurred during the poll.
He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, the Oba of Benin and many other notable personalities for their roles at maintaining peace before, during and after the poll.
The Edo State PDP yesterday said Ize-Iyamu’s attempt to justify the legal actions against the party, Obaseki and Shaibu is destined to fail.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, PDP said: “Hope is the currency of politicians. We are aware that the only currency left to share within the APC and Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) is the currency of hope. The futile pre-election matter is to act as oxygen for the few remaining Edo people still in APC/EPM bondage. They are to be fed hope as a strategy so that the shackles fitted to their ankles and wrists can be maintained.
“The defeated APC’s governorship candidate in Edo stated that the election, which has been adjudged as one of the best in the history of the country, was characterised by violence, manipulation and disenfranchisement, among others, but he would not challenge it at the election petitions tribunal.
“We reject and condemn his jaundiced position on the election and wish to advise him to show respect to the wishes of Edo people. He should respect their views and decisions as Edo State has been very kind to him.
“Pastor Ize-Iyamu should know that he cannot retrieve what he lost at the poll at the court. The PDP, Governor Obaseki, Shaibu and other Edo people are waiting for him.”
