You are pursuing lost cause, Edo PDP replies Ize-Iyamu

THE Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the September 19 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu not to challenge the outcome of the election was not borne out of good faith as he claimed.

Ize-Iyamu, yesterday, said he decided not to challenge the outcome of the Edo governorship election in court for peace to reign and not to escalate the palpable tension in the state.

He, however, added that he would continue with the pre-election litigation he filed against Obaseki and the PDP, adding that the opposition party too filed cases against him.

In a statement yesterday, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare described Ize-Iyamu’s claim as “disingenuous and destined to fail.”

The PDP said the APC candidate made the claim to save face and keep hope alive for the remnants of his supporters.

The statement read in part, “As they say, hope is the currency of politicians. We are aware that the only currency left to share within the APC and EPM is the currency of hope. The futile pre-election matter is to act as oxygen for the few remaining Edo people still in APC/EPM bondage. They are to be fed hope as a strategy so that the shackles fitted to their ankles and wrists can be maintained.”

The Edo PDP also dismissed Ize-Iyamu’s claim that the Edo governorship election was marred by violence and other electoral malpractices, adding that he is pursuing a lost cause

“The defeated APC candidate stated that the election, which has been adjudged as one of the best in the history of the country, was characterised by violence, manipulation, disenfranchisement amongst others, but will not challenge it. We reject and condemn his jaundiced position on the election and wish to advise him to show respect to the wishes of Edo people. He should respect their views and decisions as Edo have been very kind to him!

“Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu should know that he cannot retrieve what he lost at the polls at the court,” the statement concluded.