By Osahon Osahon
A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has said Governor Godwin Obaseki was informed of his planned defection to the Stage chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He also debunked Obaseki’s claims that he was not aware of the grand rally by APC to receive him into APC today’s Friday in Benin, the state capital.
Ize-Iyamu in a statement signed by his personal assistant, Baron Mike, and made available to journalists on Thursday, disclosed that the governor was officially informed of his coming to APC.
He said he had sent several text messages to Governor Obaseki, where in he intimate him of his plan to join the party with his associates.
“Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Edo State Executive Governor, H.E. Godwin Obaseki, wherein he reportedly denied any formal invitation from Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu about his plan and that of his associates to formally join the All Progressives Congress on 13th December, 2019, at a rally in Benin City, the state capital.
“Ironically Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has in the last few weeks, placed several personal calls and text messages to the Executive Governor, seeking to [have] an audience with him on the subject matter, to no avail.
“Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu did not just give notice but decided to send an official letter about his planned declaration for the APC, through the courier company, DHL, to the Government House Office of the Executive Governor and this was duly delivered and acknowledged by Mr. Eghosa Steve.
“We are therefore in shock at the news credited to Mr. Governor to the effect that he was not invited or is unaware of the grand rally.
“We want to state in clear terms that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has very esteemed respect and regard for the Governor and the leadership of the party and has displayed such, in the private calls, messages and the letter that was sent as a last resort.
“We are committed to raising the bar of leadership within the APC as a party and as such can’t be involved in any case that will slight the office of the governor or the party leadership,” the statement said
