Return To APC, Ize-Iyamu Begs Gov Obaseki

While the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State is yet to come to terms with the outcome of the September 19 governorship election in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, its candidate in the polls, has not only conceded defeat but has appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki, his main rival, to return to the ruling party.

Recall Obaseki who was elected in 2016 under the platform of the APC, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to seek re-election after he was screened out from contesting the ruling party primary election due to defects in his certificates.

Conversely, Ize-Iyamu defected to the PDP in 2016 to contest against Governor Obaseki but lost the election, returned to the APC again for the 2020 gubernatorial election which held last Saturday but still lost to the Governor.

However, speaking in a television broadcast on Wednesday night, Ize-Iyamu appealed to Governor Obaseki to return to the APC, stating that “it would be difficult for him to be recognized as a leader in the opposition party.

“We are going to talk to everybody. We are going to bring everybody back. I want to salute my brother, the governor. I will like to appeal to him to return to the party. In every family, we have a disagreement,” said the APC governorship candidate.

“Let it not be said that it was this disagreement that pushed him out. I made that mistake before and I have come to realize that it was a grievous error and I will not want him as a senior brother to make the same mistake.

“I will like to appeal to him to set aside his anger and come back. In APC, he is recognized as a leader and it would be difficult for him to be recognized as a leader in the new party he is going to.

“Certainly, we are ready to work with him and all well-meaning Edo people. We believe it is time to bring peace back to Edo State.”