Defeated All Progressives Congress candidate in Edo State Governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has denied asking winner of the election, Godwin Obaseki, to return to the party.
He said a report being circulated in the media, in which he asked Obaseki, who moved to the Peoples Democratic Party after being denied ticket, was made in June not after the Saturday election.
Ize-Iyamu’s media aide, John Mayaki, said in a statement on Thursday:
“The media has once again lent itself to the fabrications of Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP, as they did throughout the election.
“We warned several times that the media should beware of fabrications from Obaseki and the PDP camp, but they did not listen. That is why they have reported that the election was free and fair, and that is why they have said our candidate appealed to Obaseki to come back to APC. The video in reference is from three months ago, not after the election but doctored by Governor Obaseki media handlers to seek undue legitimacy
“Pastor Ize-Iyamu was reported in the stories as speaking from Abuja, but it was the Benin reporters that covered the story. Were the reporters transported to Abuja? Do these media agencies actually believe the stories they carry? Obaseki and the PDP has a way of leaking false news to the media and the media has to be sensitive and professional in receiving these news.
“I only wish the media had been more professional during the elections; they were not and what is done is done. They don’t know how violent and anti-democratic it was in several parts of Edo State, including Egor in Benin City, and so they reported that the elections were free and fair. At least, going forward, let them verify all news before passing it on. It is the basic ethic of the profession.”
