PDP ticket: How Ize-Iyamu made it

•L-R: Iduoriyekemwen, Edebiri and Ize-Iyamu,
who participated in the governorship primary conducted
by the PDP in Edo State

PASTOR Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former national vice-chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN yesterday emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 10 governoship elections, affirming that the end of the Adams Oshiomhole era was at hand. Ize-Iyamu polled 584 votes to beat his other contenders, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, who scored 91 votes and Chief Solomon Edebiri, who polled 38 votes. Total number of accredited delegates were 713. Accreditation commenced as early as 10 a.m. while delegates started voting about 2 pm. There was tension outside the stadium when supporters of the aspirants engaged themselves in a free for all fight prompting the police to use tear gas to disperse them.

Governorship election committee and governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi, who announced the result, admonished the aspirants to work as a family following the emergence of the candidate, assuring that the PDP governors will give them all the support. He commended the delegates for the way and manner they conducted themselves and urged all of them to face the general election with all seriousness so as to achieve victory for the PDP. “Every process of this primary, we carried everybody along, and they truly gave us their words. We are very excited with the conduct of the delegates; we are very excited with the seriousness of the governors. We want to plead with the aspirants to support the candidate that emerged so that the will of God will be with Edo state. Speaking earlier, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who expressed the determination of the party to win Edo State back to the PDP, asserted that “as PDP members never you be intimidated because I know some persons will intimidate you. Edo state has always been a PDP state and it will go back to PDP this time”. In his acceptance speech, Ize-Iyamu, who commended the committee members for the transparency exhibited in the conduct of the primaries, described the exercise as very transparent. According to him, “at a time when people thought PDP was finished, we were showing strength. Anybody who will want to point accusing fingers at the state chairman of our party will be very unfair. He has been very transparent at every stage. “He never campaigned for any aspirant; he has worked so hard to make our party what it is. Not only is he looking after PDP members but the suffering people of Edo go to his house, and they get food. The only reward we can give to you for all you have done is to assure you that we will not rest until our state is rescued from the hands of APC. “There can be no continuity, Adams Oshiomhole; your eight years has come to an end. Today there is no winner no loser; it is a family affair. The real battle will be in the days and weeks ahead. And I want to assure all of you that we will not fail. I will appeal to our people to go back to their wards and units and ensure that they register. “Let me appreciate my two brothers who contested with me. Let no body be worried that they had gone before they left they congratulated me and I have the assurance that they will all work with me” he stated. But reacting, Chief Edebiri said the exercise was a conspiracy from the leadership of the party in the state to impose Ize-Iyamu narrated that “Orbih threatened a few weeks ago that he will make sure that I do not get the ticket because he accused me of working against him during chairmanship party congress. He promised that he will ensure I do not get the ticket. Last week he started giving directives to party leaders to deliver Pastor Ize-Iyamu. 

VOTES POLLED
•Ize-Iyamu — 584
•Matthew Iduoriyekemwen — 91
•Solomon Edebiri — 38