EDO 2024: Ize-Iyamu Takes City By Storm, Declares Intention To Contest Governoship. . . Asures Better Days For Citizens.

By Esosa Omorogbe

It was a carnival of a sort at the Benin City center, Edo state capital, when the frontline All Progressive Congress(APC) Chieftain and aspirant for the 2024 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Andrew Ize-Iyamu declared his intention to contest the governorship election. 

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, A.K.A. POI at a crowd pulling declaration at the state secretariat of the party, APC, before the full complement of the party Executive, said "This declaration is important for many reasons, chiefly because it affords me the chance to reiterate my commitment to our dear state and to state, albeit succinctly, what we need to do to steer her away from the direction of parlousness, insincere governance and rudderlessness.

"For over seven years, Edo people have had to endure governance by propaganda and falsehoods, and the use of government institutions for the purpose of personal vendetta and the oppression of her citizens. The Edo state government have denied the people the best practice approach to continuous growth because it lacked a comprehensive, realizable and sustainable plan that encompasses the improvement of infrastructure, health, education, human resource development, job creation, industrialization, agriculture, security and the refinement of municipal services such as the provision of clean, portable water and electricity. 

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, currently  the aspirant to watch across party lines in the 2024 governorship election disclosed that "despite the receipt of colossal revenue, the state remains terribly underdeveloped and with the government enmeshed in brazen corruption and larceny. A classic example  of this government’s ineptitude, is the perennial flooding that has ravaged most part of Edo as a result of scant road maintenance, and a deliberate decision to abandon the Benin storm water project, started by the administration of Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole. 

"What has happened in reality is that Edo state government has performed abysmally in every sector of Edo’s Economy. Amongst others, in agriculture, it has ceased vast farmlands from indigenes and handed same to foreigners, in education it has shut down more schools than any other government in Nigeria, it is unarguably the most renowned for land grabbing in the state’s history, even as its ease of doing business has collapsed. It is a pity that the technocratic Governor who arrogantly boast of his economic prowess have not been able to move our state forward. 

While declaring that there must be a deliberate turn around of Edo State's fortune, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu said

"We cannot continue this way, if we are to safeguard the future of our children and generations of Edos yet unborn. What we require is a new, competent and purposeful leadership that can cultivate the right collaborations, formulate appropriate policies, and create the necessary frameworks that are not only people oriented, but also doable amidst limited resources. 

"We need a government that is led by one from amongst the people and this is why I am presenting myself. I believe that the primary purpose of government is the pursuance of happiness for the greater number of people in the society.

Ize-Iyamu declared that, "The government of Edo State under my leadership will strive to meet this purpose at all times. We shall serve the needs of our people efficiently, effectively and fairly through empathetic governance that is geared towards solving social problems because I have the requisite know-how to do this. I will run a government that is truly of the people, for the people and by the people. I am out  to stop the state’s drift into anomie and hopelessness; to give hope and succour to our people and to give their government a human face. 

"For Edo to be uplifted, for Edo to witness the much yearned for renaissance, we must fight for freedom from political tyranny, reckless misuse of our scarce communal resources, rapid and unsustainable accumulation of domestic and external debts. We must be prepared to deliver the kind of change that Edo people desire, one that isn’t based on empty sloganeering, propaganda and deceit; one  that is real, verifiable, purposeful and sustainable.

"Having served our beloved state creditably as Chief of Staff to the Governor (1999-2003), Secretary to the State Government between 2003 and 2007, I possess a unique insight into the workings of government. With my unrivalled understanding of the issues comes the passion, the capacity, and the needed dexterity to effect the life-enhancing change that Edo people desire. As a guide, I came out with a robust blueprint to launch the state on the path to sustainable prosperity and holistic development. 

"Our SIMPLE  Agenda, born out of intense research and consultation offers measurable commitments that would be implemented with passion, single-mindedness, incisive competence and experience. It addresses matters relating to Security/Social welfare, Infrastructural development/urban renewal, Manpower development/training, Public/private/partnerships, Leadership by example and Employment creation/social empowerment scheme. At the core or epicenter of the *SIMPLE* Agenda are the people. This documented covenant creates the much needed synergy between them and their government.

Nevertheless, in every democracy, there are various contestations and politicians device different means to hoodwink the people either for good or for evil. As a student leader in the University of Benin, I was the youth leader of United Party of Nigeria (UPN). It is my belief in the oneness of Edo that made me support Prof. Ambrose Alli of the UPN, from Esan to become Governor of the old Bendel state. Similarly, it is common knowledge my role in the election of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from Etsako, in Edo North senatorial district in the 2007 and 2012 Governorship elections. It is impossible for me to discriminate on any basis because my motivation in politics  is the admonition by Jesus Christ that "let your light so shine among men so they shall see your good works and glorify your father in heaven", so I endeavour my light to shine in the midst of darkness,  and that light is not for some, but for all .

"This is why when I see an Edo indigene, I do not see a Benin, an Esan, an Etsako, an Owan, an Akoko-Edo, an Ika, an Ijaw or a Hausa, an Igbo or a Yoruba. I see an Edo person, whether indigene or a resident. This was how I was raised by my parents, and it is a vital part of my pastoral calling. 

"Quite frankly, the principal reason for agitation or for cry of marginalization is hinged on the failure of government  to deliver on its mandate. Stemming from this, I am aware of the importance of electing a competent State Chief Executive who would stay focused on the discharge of his duties; who would see to the development of every nook and cranny of the three senatorial district

 "simultaneously. I am deeply convinced that better days lie ahead of us. As we approach the election year, let us be circumspect; let us pledge our common resolve to prepare the State for a new and better age. This is a choice we must make. Let us refuse to be so sharply divided, that we can no longer see ourselves as fellow Edos. Beyond the politics of tribe and religion, we are called to be our neighbor’s keeper. Our heritage and diversity in  lineage are some of the most beautiful orchestrations of our creator worthy of celebration not condemnation. Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu said.