Edo Election: I must recover my mandate - PDP candidate, Ize-Iyamu

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has reiterated his determination to challenge the result of the September 28 poll at the election petitions tribunal.


Ize-Iyamu, who spoke during a thanksgiving service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Trinity Sanctuary) in Benin on Sunday, noted that like David in the Bible, he would “pursue and recover” his mandate.

The PDP candidate, who was accompanied by his running mate, John Yakubu; the state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, and the senator representing Edo-South senatorial district, Matthew Urhoghide, also urged his supporters not to be discouraged.


Ize-Iyamu said, “Have faith in God; do not be discouraged. Delay is not denial. At the appropriate time, what will be will be.

“When they stole from David, he went to the Lord. God told him to pursue and recover.

“Let me assure you, we shall pursue and recover. We shall overtake and recover. As long as we serve a living God, the truth must prevail.”

While reacting to the criticisms by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress over the protests organised by PDP supporters, Ize-Iyamu vowed to follow in the footsteps of the incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole, whom he said had protested when the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the then PDP candidate, Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor, as the winner of the 2007 poll.

The state Chairman of the APC, Anselm Ojezua, had during a press briefing on Saturday said, “The day Obaseki was declared winner, we went round the streets celebrating with the people. After one week, we started seeing contrived protests and those cannot be a political reaction to the election that held on September 28.

“If a man claims he has won, he should tell us the figures and the source of his information. Who has your mandate? The people who gave Obaseki the mandate are at home.

“The people you find on the streets are PDP members who are naturally aggrieved that they have failed because all the evils they have planned have been dismantled.”