Edo guber: PDP, Ize-Iyamu flaunt their might

• Daunting rally resonates in central senatorial district
• Royal fathers queue behind candidate
• Sends signal about determination to take over Osadebey House

The last two weeks have been one of the busiest politically for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State as it strives to win back the state which it lost to then opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) now All Progressives Congress (APC) almost eight years ago.

Observers believe that Ize-Iyamu was diligently capitalising on his popularity among young professionals, many of the elites and students to boost his chances. He has young minds that are passionately committed to his course through the social media and several blogs where his campaign activities inundate.

Before he got the ticket, he made it a habit to visit very popular drinking spots within the city centre. Ize-yamu has been traversing the nooks and cranny of the state trying to convince voters and party supporters why they should vote for him and his party as against his erstwhile political ally, Adams Oshiomhole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) which he actively participated in enthroning, and their governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki.

He launched his campaign at the Baptist Convention auditorium in Benin City, penultimate week where the leadership of his party vowed to mobilise its members and Edo people to vote out the APC-led government in the state on the grounds that the outgoing Oshiomhole’s government has failed the people.Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Tom Ikimi claimed that Oshiomhole betrayed them in the first four years and had to beg for him to get their support for his second term.

Senator Matthew Urhoghide alleged that Oshiomhole was ungrateful to all of them who supported him to power, while former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, said that the High court verdict that affirmed the removal of Sheriff was a good sign that victory was in sight for PDP.

Earlier the state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih flayed Governor Oshiomhole for allegedly denying PDP the use of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium as venue for the event.Addressing the mammoth crowd, Ize-Iyamu promised to give the people a change that would not result in hardship for them nor perpetuate unemployment. He said he would ensure women empowerment, industrialization, agricultural development, guarantee security, fairness to all sections of the state and to restore the lost glory of the state as well as dignity and respect for the traditional institution.

In Auchi, Edo North, few days after, Ize-Iyamu blamed Oshiomhole for decimating the state civil service from 13,000 that his government inherited, to less than 2,000 currently.On his part, Orbih, accused Oshiomhole of dividing Edo North, noting that the governor was guilty of picking out Etsako West Local Government Area for development among the six local government areas in the area, even as he added that in Etsako West council, the governor only focused on his native Iyamho village, which he said is just one of the 28 villages that make up the Uzaure clan.

The campaign train stormed Uromi, headquarters of Esan North East local government where the Enijie (traditional rulers) called for support for Ize-Iyamu and his deputy, John Yakubu at the palace of Ojuromi of Uromi, HRM Zaiki Aidenojie.

The Okpuje Primary School ground where the rally held was a carnival of a sort as the traditional Esan acrobatic dancers known as Igbabonelimi entertained the crowd with their dances and throws which added colour to the campaign while the leaders visited the traditional rulers.Present at the palace of the first class monarch, were the Enijies of Irrua, Igueben, Ekpoma, Ubiaja, Uromi, Ewu, Ewossa, Ewatto, Urohi, Ebelle, Uzea, Egoro, Idoa, Udo, Okhodua, Ujogba, Ogwa, Ekpon among others.

Orbih lamented the alleged “total neglect” of Esan people noting that the APC has not appointed an Esan person into any position of significance. According to him, the only position, which they struggled on their own to attain, was the speakership of the House of Assembly but the APC took it away on the instruction of Oshiomhole.

The PDP chairman stated that the PDP decided to choose their deputy governor from Esanland as a part of the healing and reintegration process for the Esan people to redress the injustices of the past perpetrated by the APC administration in the state.Ize-Iyamu bewailed the seeming disregard of the senatorial district by Oshiomhole, alleging that it was happening at a period when the state received very high allocation, ten times higher than previous administrations.

“Education and agriculture are some of the brands of Esanland. 2008 till now, the APC government of Adams Oshiomhole totally neglected the Ambrose Alli University. Oshiomhole has done everything to destroy whatever was left in Esanland.

“What the government of Edo state has spent in Esanland is eight per cent of the budget. For the government to spend eight percent in a senatorial district that is one of the three districts is the apogee of insult to the Esan people. I have seen schools being commissioned; I have not seen a laboratory. I will build and commission schools with laboratories and libraries when we come on board. My deputy John Yakubu shall not be a spare tyre but a co-pilot,” Ize-Iyamu asserted.

A national leader of PDP, Chief Tony Anenih thanked the Esan monarchs for their support describing Ize-Iyamu as “a man whom I have studied over the years. He is a man who says yes in the morning and it is yes in the afternoon and yes in the evening. He is a man of God.”

Speaking on behalf of the Royal fathers in Esanland, His Royal Majesty, Aidonojie, Ojuromi of Uromi, welcomed the PDP leaders and their colourful campaign train to Esanland, noting that the Ize-Iyamu had direct relationship with virtually all the enigie of Esanland.

He said: “Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is son of the former Esogban of Benin kingdom without blemish. Your father did not betray the palace. We trust you that you will not betray us. Esan nation are part and parcel of this state. We the people of Esan are very unhappy at the relegation of the Esan people in the state. When you become Governor of Edo state we urge you to correct the ills committed against us. We are very happy that you took one of our sons and we will say thank you to you, not just by words of mouth, we will use our PVCs (permanent voters’ cards).”

28 traditional rulers from the area gathered to receive the PDP governorship candidate at the palace of the Ojuromi of Uromi. There was one dissenting voice in Onojie of Opoji and Vice Chairman, Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, His Royal Highness (HRH), Ehidiamen Aidonojie 1, who claimed that the royal fathers have not endorsed Ize-Iyamu.

At Otuo, Afuze and Ihievbe in Owan East local government area, Ize-Iyamu promised the reactivation and repositioning of the College of Physical Education, Afuze‎ also known as Afuze Sports Centre, if elected.

He said it was shameful that Oshiomhole neglected the Afuze facility, which helped put Edo on the Sporting map of the world.“Enough is enough. Oshiomhole has treated Owan people as if they don’t exist. The support you gave him has he given you anything in return? This time around if they offer you money to vote for APC take it and vote against them” .

It is incongruous that in all the campaign trails, the issue has been Ize-Iyamu versus Oshiomhole. One would have expected to see a scenario where both Ize-Iyamu and Obaseki were put on a scale and weighed to see how they performed with respect to tackling the challenges confronting Edo people.

Observers believe that Edo senatorial district would be the battleground and perhaps the decider for who wins or lose in the September 10 election. Edo central senatorial district might easily go the way of PDP given the acceptance of party there and the generally perceived impression of having been neglected by the Oshiomhole administration, while Edo north senatorial district would be for APC to grab being the governor’s home district.