By Sadiq Umar – For his acceptance and recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) In Edo State, the Ogun State chapter of the party has congratulated Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The state Chairman of the party, Hon. Sikirulahi Ogundele, said in a press statement that with the recognition of Ize-Iyamu by INEC, the wind of success has once again blown to the side of the party.
Ogundele added in the statement, which was signed on his behalf by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Malik Olamilekan Ibitoye, that the confirmation of Ize-Iyamu by the INEC has further given credibility to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party.
The state party chairman used the opportunity to reiterate that the PDP should come under one umbrella as it used to be, saying that the party has every opportunity to bounce back to reckoning at the national level.
“We in the Ogun State chapter of the PDP wish to congratulate Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu for this laudable feat and we believe that the party has all the chances to win the coming Edo State Governorship election.
“It is very obvious that the All Progressives Congress-led government in Edo State has retarded the progress of the state since they got to power eight years ago. The state needs a man of no mean feat with several successes such as Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu to bring back its lost glory,” the statement read in part.
The politician then called on the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the party, especially in Edo State, to join hands with that of Ahmed Makarfi to “drive away the vultures from the seat of power in the leading South-South State,” adding that all hands should be on deck for the election slated for September, 2016.
He stressed in the statement that the decision of INEC has put paid to the raging controversy between the two contending factions of the PDP over whose candidate would be fielded by the party for the election.
According to him, time has come for members of the party to sheat their swords as nothing can be achieved in a disunited environment.
He stressed that no stone should be left unturned to ensure victory for the party at the Edo polls, while emphasising that “the people of Edo State are prepared to vote for a man like Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who would bring smiles back to their faces after years of neglect and maladministration by the out-going government of Comrade Adams Oshiomole.”
