Just a few days before the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary to select its nominee for the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, one of the party’s front-runners, surprisingly announced his official withdrawal from the race.
The announcement of his withdrawal came on Friday, conveyed through a statement made available to journalists in Benin, the state capital. The withdrawal notice was addressed to the national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and copied to the Acting State Chairman of the party, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe.
While the exact reasons for Ize-Iyamu’s withdrawal remain undisclosed, speculations suggest that it may be linked to reports indicating a preference from party leadership, both at the state and national levels, for another candidate, Dennis Idahosa, who represents Ovia Federal Constituency.
In the withdrawal letter, Ize-Iyamu expressed his initial enthusiasm for contesting the gubernatorial race as a progressive democrat. He acknowledged the efforts of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) in dispelling rumors of disqualifications and ensuring a fair screening process for all aspirants.
However, after extensive consultations with family, friends, political associates, and supporters, Ize-Iyamu made the difficult decision to withdraw from the race in the interest of party unity and cohesion. He appealed to the people of Edo State to accept his decision, emphasizing his personal sacrifice for the greater good of the party.
In his closing remarks, Ize-Iyamu expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s national leadership for their fairness and commitment to the democratic process. He also thanked his family, supporters, and campaign organization for their unwavering dedication.
