Edo 2024: Ize-Iyamu ‘The Real Homeboy’ Joins Race With Local Engagement, Community Ties Renewal

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By Cynthia Agbonvbare-Ayin

At the end of last Wednesday’s consultation meeting with selected leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Benin City, it was clear that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu will yet again rely on his  unwavering-resolute relationship with the local people and some die-hard friends that he has managed to keep through his regular community engagements over the years.

Ize-Iyamu during his ‘Simple Agenda’ stakeholders meeting

Over the years Ize-Iyamu has cultivated a profound sense of familiarity and in the process, built trust among the political powerhouse in Edo State.

Stakeholders at the ‘Simple Agenda’ meeting

Majority of the contenders that have declared interest to seek the ticket of their parties, do not have acclaimed connection with those they are angling to lead.

Stakeholders at the ‘Simple Agenda’ meeting

Many are seasonal ‘political friends’ without the grassroots-localised reputation.

According to organisers, the long awaited reunion was put together to elicit Ize-Iyamu’s acceptance to run for the Edo 2024 governorship election under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

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The call for Ize-Iyamu to contest for the governorship position in Edo State has remained in the heart of his followers and believers of his ‘SIMPLE AGENDA’, until his eventual acceptance to bell the cat.

The call has been growing louder and clearer, with increasing numbers of groups and individuals asking him to throw his political hat into the ring. Most people within his party and across political divides are have been asking POI to contest for the APC ticket.

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Prominent party members across the 192 wards and 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Edo State came together to conceptualize and rework Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s ‘SIMPLE AGENDA’ that they believe is capable of offering real-tangible development for the state.

Representatives from different ethnic groups, including the Edo State Arewa-Muslim group, Christian Groups, Yoruba community, Ibo community, Ijaw, and others, were also present.

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Notable leaders from the three senatorial districts who spoke at the meeting, expressed their unalloyed loyalty and support for the candidacy of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, whom they referred to as their “Home Boy” – owing to his political tenacity and consistency over the years.

In his speech, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu expressed his appreciation to his friends and associates for keeping trust in him. He stated that the reason he accepted to run is due to his unwavering passion for the service of Edo people, assuring them that he will not let them down.

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He also appreciated the two-time governor of Edo State, former national chairman of the APC, and the number one leader of the party in Edo State, Senator Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for providing good leadership for the APC in Edo State.

He called on all party faithful and his supporters to extend unalloyed loyalty to him, while urging them to refrain from using derogatory comments and innuendos against any of his co-aspirants.

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He stressed that, they will need each other for the party’s overall victory after the primary election.

Ize-Iyamu confronted the incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki in a tight rigorous election in 2020. Certainly, the arrival of Ize-Iyamu has received a major revival capable of altering existing political arrangements.