The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has mocked the emergence of Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Mr Ize-Iyamu emerged victorious in the APC primary held across the state today. He trounced two other aspirants to clinch the gubernatorial ticket of the party.
Describing his emergence as nauseating, the PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the APC candidate is no match for any of its governorship aspirants.
The party said the political career of the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) has already been damaged by Adams Oshiomhole, the suspended national chairman of the party, who is said to be backing him.
“Already, on the streets of Edo state, Ize-Iyamu has become the new lexicon for APC’s crude attempt to suppress and lord it over the people of Edo state,” the statement partly read.
“From all indications, only failure awaits the APC in the September election. This is because, going by the figures announced from the direct primary, which the APC conducted to produce Ize-Iyamu, it is clear that the totality of the members of the APC in Edo is far below 40,000, in a state where the membership and support base of the PDP soar well above three million.
“Moreover, the people of Edo state had been openly told by Ize-Iyamu’s godfather, Adams Oshiomhole, that he is not fit to occupy the office of the governor of Edo state for reasons he had also put in public space.
“According to Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu is only good for political “night meetings” and not to occupy the highest office in the state, where he will fail.
“Edo people can also recall how Oshiomhole swore before God and man that people with the character traits of Ize-Iyamu should not be allowed anywhere near a public office like that of a governor.
“It is therefore nauseating that having degraded Ize-Iyamu across Edo state and beyond, the APC, in their arrogance and disrespect for the leaders and the people Edo, want to foist such an individual on the state through a shambolic primary election.
“Given the crisis that has destroyed the APC to its tatters, it is difficult to assert that Ize-Iyamu will be their eventual candidate. However, if he managed through, we welcome him to an issue-based campaign, though his godfather, in agreement with us, has since declared that he has nothing to offer,” the party added.