Ize-Iyamu Denies Begging Obaseki to Return to APC, Contradicts Party National Leadership, Says Election not Free and Fair

The Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has denied begging Governor Godwin Obaseki to return to the APC.

In a statement on Thursday by the Spokesman of the Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation, John Mayaki, the APC candidate denied addressing press conference in Abuja as widely reported by the media. The statement faulted media reports that reported the election as free, fair and transparent in contrast to the position of the national leadership of the APC that commended the conduct of 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”, he said.

On the press conference, Mayaki said further that “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”.