A group under the aegis of Edo Youth Renaissance (EYR) has challenged former governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to present his political scorecard ahead of the 2027 Edo South Senatorial contest.

The group declared that the Edo South Senatorial District ticket had already been settled for former House of Representatives member, Ogbeide Ihama, whom it described as a grassroots mobiliser with proven electoral strength.

Coordinator of the group, Igbinovia Osadolor, in a statement on Thursday, advised Ize-Iyamu to stop running from pillar to post, insisting that Ogbeide-Ihama remained the preferred aspirant based on experience, electability, youthfulness and antecedents.

“The Edo South Senatorial District race rests squarely on four cardinal principles which Ogbeide-Ihama has adequately satisfied.

“Those four cardinal principles are experience, electability, youthfulness and antecedents.

“We challenge Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to produce his credentials based on the above. Then maybe there will be a rethink, but for now, with available insights before us, Pastor Ize-Iyamu virtually lacks all the above.”

The group stated that Ogbeide-Ihama’s legislative experience as a two-term member of the House of Representatives distinguished him from other contenders.

According to the statement, the former lawmaker chaired the House Committee on Tourism and Culture for two consecutive terms and was regarded as one of the most vibrant lawmakers from the South-South zone during his time in the National Assembly.

On electability, the group said Ogbeide-Ihama had repeatedly won elections without resorting to court battles.

It noted that he won the Oredo Federal Constituency seat in both 2015 and 2019 while in the opposition, adding that none of the victories was challenged judicially.

“In 2015, he won election from the opposition in the most prominent local government area, Oredo, with a margin of over 12,000 votes.

“In 2019, he won again from the opposition and became the first representative in the history of Oredo to serve two terms, thereby becoming the jinx-breaker.

“None of his victories have ever been challenged judicially. Opponents accepted he won fair and square.”

The group described Ogbeide-Ihama as a strong supporter of youths within and outside Edo State, saying his leadership qualities had remained visible over the past 15 years.

It appealed to Ize-Iyamu to present his own political achievements, insisting that the accomplishments listed for Ogbeide-Ihama were only “a scratch of the surface” of what he had to offer.