As the political space in Edo state heats up building to the governorship elections, seven elected councilors in Oredo local government area have pledged their support for the election of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
All seven councilors hail from the home local government of the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The councilor representing Obaseki’s ward is among those who have jumped ship to support his opponent.
The councilors said though they were elected on the platform of the APC, have not been able to deliver on the electoral promises they made to members of their wards. They added that they believe Ize-Iyamu being a grassroots politician would create the enabling environment for them to perform.
In the same vein, seven out of ten councilors in Uhunmwonde local governement area have also thrown their weight behind Ize-Iyamu with the promise to ensure APC wins the upcoming elections in the state.
Governor Obaseki’s appointees have also resigned their appointments for political reasons.
The chairman of the State Post Primary Education Board, Gabriel Oiboh and First member of the board, Mr Osanyemwere Osawe resign claiming they were being pressured to defect to PDP.
Also, the Campaign Director of Obaseki/Shaibu Movement and member of the State Waste Management Board, Patrick Iyoha resigned on July 28, 2020 for ‘personal reasons’.
The APC flag-bearer responding to the support from the councilors said, “What is more significant is that the councilor representing ward 4 where the governor said he is from is also here.”
Ize-Iyamu added: “These councilors represent the majority of the people but tomorrow you will begin to hear a bogus announcement that three councilors suspend seven councilors just like he has been trying to do in the house of assembly where 14 representing a clear majority out of the 24 member house are not allowed to sit. We are ready to support these councilors if their rights are trampled upon.”
