Edo guber election: Five lawmakers endorse Ize-Iyamu

Five members of the Edo state house of assembly have pledged support for Osagie Ize-Iyamu, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the September 19 governorship election.

The lawmakers are Yekini Idiaye, deputy speaker; Emmanuel Agbaje, (Akoko-Edo constituency II); Nosayaba Okunbor (Orhiomwon east constituency); Dumez Ugiagbe (Ovia north-east constituency I) and Vincent Uwadiae (Ovia north-east constituency II).

Idiaye, who represents Akoko-Edo constituency I, said the lawmakers would not defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the governor, but work hard in their constituencies to ensure Ize-Iyamu is elected.

“There is no reason for me to deflect to another party because there is no single project in my village to show under this present administration,” the deputy speaker said when he led his colleagues to the Benin residence of the APC candidate.

“I am from Somorika, in Akoko Edo Local government area and my village is the most backward in Akoko Edo.”

Agbaje said the state will move forward with the emergence of Ize-Iyamu as governor.

“There are clear reasons why we are standing for our party because what would have been our problem in making progress has left us,” Agbaje said.

“I want to assure Edo people that with the emergence of Ize-Iyamu, Edo will move forward.”

The lawmakers had pitched their tent with Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, in the early days of his misunderstanding with Adams Oshiomhole, former national chairman of the APC.

Fifteen loyalists of Oshiomhole were left stranded as they were not inaugurated based on the crisis.

Obaseki defected to the PDP alongside his deputy, Philip Shaibu, when he was disqualified from the APC governorship race.