The Federal High Court Abuja, on Tuesday, struck out a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s disqualification from the Sept. 19 governorship election in Edo.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, struck out the suit on grounds that it had become academic.

The judge also said that he saw no legal benefit that would accrue to the plaintiff if the suit succeeded.

The PDP had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ize-Iyamu to court praying for an order disqualifying Ize-Iyamu from the elections on the grounds that he was unlawfully nominated by APC.

The PDP alleged that he was unlawfully nominated because APC did not conduct proper primaries to nominate candidates for the Sept. 19 election in Edo.

The party based its allegation on the grounds that Mr Adams Oshiomohle, who conducted the “purported” primaries that nominated Ize-Iyamu was no longer national chairman of the party and had no right to conduct the primaries.

The PDP held that the APC, having failed to conduct a valid primary election, was not entitled to participate in the election.

Objecting to the suit, the APC held that the election had already been conducted and the candidate of the PDP had won the election.

The APC also submitted that it had not challenged the outcome of the election, neither did it petition the winners at the election petition tribunal.

On the last adjourned date, Mrs Wendy Kuku, arguing on behalf of INEC, had urged the court to dismiss the suit for lacking in merit.

Similarly, counsel to the APC, Mr Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, had prayed the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the suit was tantamount to “Mr A taking panadol for Mr B’s headache’’.

Ize- Iyamu’s counsel, Roland Otaru (SAN) had also prayed the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that it had become academic since the election had already been conducted and won by Gov. Godwin Obaseki.

Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Chairman All Progressives Congress (APC), Caretaker and Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee, has met with the party’s candidate in the Edo governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe, met with Ize-Iyamu in the company of Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi at his Abuja resident on Wednesday, behind closed doors.

The meeting was the first outing of the APC candidate after the Sept. 19, Edo governorship election.

NAN gathered that the party leadership was persuading Ize-Iyamu to accept in good faith the outcome of the election which the APC lost to Gov. Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A source, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the discussion at the meeting centred on the way forward with Ize-Iyamu after the Edo election.

The APC leadership in a recent statement captioned: ‘Edo State Governorship Election: Victory for Democracy’, had congratulated Obaseki, the deputy and the PDP for winning the election.

The APC in the statement signed by Gov. Buni, noted the conduct of the election and its outcome, saying it represented a victory for the country’s democracy

“The Sept. 19, 2020 Edo State Governorship election is over, the winner has been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the person of the Mr Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the PDP.

“We hereby congratulate the winner of the election, the people of Edo State and Nigerians.

“The peaceful conduct of the election and its outcome represent victory for Nigeria’s democracy,” the APC had said.

The party said it joined President Muhammadu Buhari, who had earlier congratulated Obaseki for winning the election, to affirm its commitment to free and fair elections.

This, it said, was critical to strengthening the foundation for our political and moral authority.

The party also appreciated the efforts of the immediate past national chairman of the APC, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, and other members for demonstrating unwavering support for the party and its candidate in the election.

Meanwhile, enjoy this short video and don’t forget to subscribe.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo Governorship election on Saturday, Sept. 19 cast his vote at Ugboko ward 4, unit 26, Orhionmwon Local Government Council of the state at about 9: 25 a.m.

Ize-Iyamu joined the queue at his polling unit located at Iguododo Primary school at about 9:20a.m. before casting his vote at about 9: 25a.m.

Speaking to journalists after exercising his franchise, Ize-Iyamu commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the peaceful and smooth electoral process.

He also commended INEC for adhering to the COVID-19 protocol.

“The process is good and going on smoothly; there is no thuggery and violence, the place is peaceful and calm.

“I am happy that INEC has a thermometer to check temperature and they also give out face masks to our people.

“We encourage our people to come out in batches so they can strictly adhere to the COVID-19 protocols of social distances”.

He said he had not been able to get information about the conduct of the election across the state due to the poor network at his voting community.

He expressed optimism that he would emerge victorious in the election saying, “I am confident of victory across the 18 LGAs of the State”.

Accreditation and voting commenced simultaneously at Ugboko ward 5, unit 26 at about 8: 46 a.m. amidst the presence of security personnel.

The All Progressives Congress in South Africa (APC SÁ) has thrown its weight behind the Governorship Candidate of the party, Pastor Osagie Ize-lyamu, in the Edo State Governorship Election on Sept 19.

The group gave its support in a statement signed by Mr Sanni David, the National Publicity Secretary of the chapter, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday

“The APC SA has confidence that Pastor Osagie lze-Iyamu will deliver the much needed radical economic transformation for the people.

“The Edo people have no better opportunity to reclaim the seat lost to the PDP through the back door.

“Education, health, security and job creation are very key areas that the governorship candidate is focusing on. We believe that the SIMPLE agenda will bring about the desired change.

“It is our honour and pleasure to affirm that APC South Africa Chapter under the leadership of Engr. Bola Babarinde endorses Pastor Osagie Ize-lyamu and call for the unflinching support of the Edo People to elect him come this Saturday, Sept.19,” it said.

According to the chapter, the recent debate on Channels TV has also exposed many unanswered questions on the issues of governance by the current administration in the state.

“Gov. Godwin Obaseki, in the last four years, cannot articulate his achievements; we wonder on what premise is he seeking re-election.

“We cannot afford to have Edo as a political lab where our economy will be an experiment,” the group added.

According to the chapter, Ize-lyamu has demonstrated in numerous ways that he has the capacity, will and leadership dexterity needed to govern Edo for the next four years.

The group said Ize-Iyamu as a lawyer, pastor, farmer, former Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Edo State Government, understands the inner workings of government.

“We in the diaspora understand the concerns and needs of the Edo indigenes.

“The task of good governance can only be put on the shoulders of a capable team of Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu and Mallam Gani Audu.

“This team gives credence to the SIMPLE Agenda with the ability of the party to support ideas that can transform the state.

“We know and we can trust that they will give a listening ear to sound opinions irrespective of which divide you fall as long as it will make Edo State move forward,” they added.

The group said Edo needed a change in leadership, saying the state could not afford the damage of allowing Gov. Godwin Obaseki run for a second term.

According to them, Edo is ‘broken’ and there is the need to fix it urgently and the only opportunity to do that is to vote in Ize-Iyamu on Sept. 19.

“There is the need for Edo to enthrone a government that is aligned to the Centre to bring about synergy and seamless coordination of developmental programme of the APC at the Federal.

“The road to victory is long and complex. But we have pledged to uphold democracy and to use it as a tool by enlightening the people to undo the yoke of PDP in Edo and at all times when the opportunity presents itself.

“The APC has achieved a lot under President Muhammadu Buhari and we are confident that POI (Pastor Ize-Iyamu Osagie) will be a square peg in a square hole while leveraging on the avalanche of very competent human resources around him to advance the economy of Edo State.”

The APC SA said that the highly untapped mineral deposits, agricultural land and tourism potential were huge investment advantages across the various sectors in the state.

The chapter promised to support the government of Edo to make sure that real jobs were provided, adding that with a people-oriented government in place international migration would be discouraged.

“We need to see Pastor Osagie Ize-lyamu’s emergence as the candidate of APC as a blessing.

“He understands both small and large businesses through his past experiences and involvement in government. With this, he will hit the ground running.

“He is an advocate of a secured Edo State and well-funded security architecture, professional training of police, equipped hospitals and laboratories, functional schools with a unique model with well trained teachers.

“He is committed to see a buzzing Edo State with people centered opportunities and economic vitality.
He is a repository of experience with institutional knowledge to fix Edo and rescue it from the doldrums,” the group said.

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, has lauded the performance of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu at the Channels TV Edo Governorship debate, ahead of the Sept. 19, poll.

In a statement by Mr Abba Anwar, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ganduje said Ize-Iyamu wrestled down the incumbent governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the debate held on Sunday.

The Governor, who is also the Chairman of APC Governorship Election Council in the state said “What transpired at the governorship debate, shows that ours is an issue-based process.

“In all the areas discussed during the debate, it appears to all that our great party, APC is ready to take Edo to higher levels.

“Our programmes in the areas of security, education, health and all other areas show that our party is determined to better the living condition of the people,” he said.

He described Ize-Iyamu as a man who knows his onions, adding that, “looking at the trend and manner at which the debate went on, it appears to all that APC is in top gear and determined to win the Saturday election.”

Ganduje said that the outcome of the debate showed that the state would be saved from the clutches of underdevelopment and retardation.

Meanwhile, enjoy this short video and don’t forget to subscribe.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Edo governorship election has urged the electorate in the state not to sell their votes come Sept. 19.

Speaking at an APC ward-to-ward campaign on Sunday at Igbanke, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state, Ize-Iyamu urged the electorate in the area to vote according to their conscience.

He said, “don’t allow anybody to use N3,000 or N5,000 to buy your conscience for the next four years.

“APC is the right choice to vote for in the Sept. 19, election. APC has a better plan for development and it is a people-oriented government.”

He assured of water projects, schools, roads, medical personnel and hospitals in the area if elected governor.

In his remarks, former Governor of Edo, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, said ” voting for Obaseki for a second term is voting for continuity of bad government.

“The roads we have in Igbanke are the roads done under my administration.

“Obaseki’s government is a Yahoo Yahoo government and a government of deceit,” he said.

Meanwhile, enjoy this short video and don’t forget to subscribe.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Edo governorship election, has promised to transform Okada town to a University hub if elected.

Ize-Iyamu made the promise on Saturday at Okada town, Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state, during his ward-to-ward campaign tour of the area.

He appreciated the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, for founding a University in the locality which he said had opened up the area for economic activities.

He promised to complement the efforts of Chief Igbinedion in making life more comfortable for the residents of the area.

“I will construct more roads, open up this area for more development, provide water and aid farmers to become more productive and resourceful.

“Our goal is to transform the university town to a University City”

On his part, former governor of Edo, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, expressed his gratitude to the people for their large turnout at the event.

He decried alleged neglect of the area in the last four years as there was no new project there since he left office as governor of the state.

Meanwhile, Mr Samson Osagie, the Director-General, APC campaign council for Edo South, said he was impressed with the support the party was getting throughout the state.

Osagie expressed optimism that APC would win the Sept. 19, governorship election in Edo.

He restated that Ize-Iyamu was the best candidate in the upcoming election in the state.

Osagie assured that the APC candidate would not disappoint the people if elected, describing him as a man with the fear of God.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo Governorship election, has promised a better civil service in the state, if elected governor.

Ize-Iyamu gave the assurance when he visited Edo chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to solicit for their support in the Sept. 19 election.

He said his administration would ensure a better welfare package for civil servants that would go beyond payment of salaries.

“You will see a better civil service if I become Edo governor; I will improve the welfare of workers because they are the people that will move the state forward.

“We will engage our civil servants in modern training here and abroad to ensure they are well equipped to carry out their duties.

“We will also engage them in political roles so they would bring their wealth of experience and skills to governance,” he said.

He regretted that the present government had continued to appoint political aides a few weeks to the election instead of employing teachers lacking in most schools in the state.

The APC candidate said that the present administration had failed to fulfill its promises to complete the NLC secretariat building in the state.

In a related development, Ize-Iyamu promised spare parts dealers at Uwelu market, to transform their market gutted by fire into an ultra-modern one.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Edo Governorship election, has promised to re-open the NNPC Benin depot for economic activities if elected governor.

Ize-Iyamu gave the assurance when he met with the Concerned Workers of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Warri Zone, in Benin on Wednesday.

He said closure of the depot had deprived the state of huge economic resources as well as posed a challenge to marketers in sourcing petroleum products outside the state.

“The state government should have taken it up when petroleum products were no longer supplied to the depot.

“Let me assure you that reopening of the depot will be one of my priorities

“We will do it to keep our state economically vibrant and to ensure that the petroleum products are easily supplied in the state.”

He assured the union of better days ahead and urged its members to canvass for votes for the APC in the Edo election.

“The union is usually non partisan but as you have chosen to support me, it is something I cherish,” he stated.

Earlier, Comrade Aneru Bello, Vice President of NUPENG, Warri zone, said the union believed in the leadership qualities of Ize-Iyamu.

Bello said, “we will ensure we actualise your mandate with you and we believe you are contesting for the good of Edo people.

“A vote for APC is a vote for Progress and we want to reaffirm that majority of us are with you and will work to actualise your mandate.”

Meanwhile, enjoy this short video and don’t forget to subscribe.

Hearing of a suit seeking to disqualify Mr Osagie Ize-iyamu from the Sept. 19 governorship election in Edo was on Tuesday, stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The suit was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was slated for hearing on Sept. 8.

However, when the case was called, counsel to the PDP, Mr Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) told the court that he just received a motion of preliminary objection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and needed to respond to it.

“The matter was for hearing today, but i was served in court this morning with the Notice of Preliminary Objection by the second defendant, (APC) and I will want to react to it,”he told the court.

Counsel to INEC, Mr Alhassan Umar, (SAN) and Ize-Iyamu, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) all said they had received the motion and also asked for time to respond.

In the application, the APC is asking the court to strike out the suit for being incompetent.

Some of the grounds, the application was predicated upon are: that the suit cannot be heard during the court’s vacation period.

The APC also contented that the suit did not meet the conditions precedent laid down in Order 46 Rule 5 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

The APC accordingly prayed the court for a declaration that the suit was incompetent having failed to comply with conditions precedent laid down in Order 46 Rule 5.

“An order setting aside all the proceedings in the suit which occurred during the court’s annual vacation period in particular, all the proceedings of this court sitting in the Benin Judicial Division for being incompetent and a nullity”.

The PDP had in its suit, prayed the court for an order disqualifying Ize-Iyamu from contesting in the governorship poll on account of not being validly nominated by his party, the APC.

The PDP claimed that Ize-Iyamu was not a product of a valid primary election, hence, should not be allowed to participate in the forthcoming election.

The suit was initially instituted in the Benin Division of the Federal High Court, but it was transferred to the Abuja Division owing to the annual vacation of the Court.

Meanwhile, enjoy this short video and don’t forget to subscribe.