Oshiomhole works for me he is not my godfather – Ize-Iyamu

Osagie Ize-Iyamu, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, has said thay Adams Oshiomhole, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), works for him and he is not his godfather.

In an interview granted recently, Ize-Iyamu said he stepped down for Oshiomhole in 2007 so that the former national chairman of APC could realise his ambition of becoming the governor of Edo.

Ize-Iyamu said he is not “new to the game” unlike Godwin Obaseki, incumbent governor, who needed someone to teach him the ropes.

He said, myself and Oshiomhole have mutual respect for each other. It is only the Almighty God that is my godfather and no one else.

He further stated that, “In 2007, so that Adams can become governor, I had to step down for him because his area has never had a governor, he comes from Edo north, this was despite the fact that my people were urging me to become governor”

“Where I come from, Edo southwest has had a governor. I just thought that well, for equity to prevail, it will be nice to make history. Of course, he has done so well as chairman of APC and I just said well, you know it’s good”.

He reiterated that ‘So for somebody like me, what would be the basis to now say Oshiomhole is my god father. We both have had history of robust engagement, we have disagreed and come back together, so what you see is mutual respect”.

“Yes, you can say he brought Obaseki, but Obaseki was new, you can’t compare him to me. I was national vice chairman of ACN; I was one of those who crafted the constitution of the APC. He did not live here even though he was born here, he came from Lagos, so he needed a godfather, he needed someone to nurture him and bring him up”.

“But for me, you are talking of an adult, there are so many people I have nurtured. All over the state, they see me as a leader”.

“But I have tremendous respect for my elders. I respect those who have excelled in various professions, even my juniors and the reality is that I was born to respect people and I will not disrespect anybody because I am governor. So when you say godfather, just take it out”.

“Oshiomhole is working for me , he is campaigning with me because he is also passionate about his party winning Edo and you can’t take that away from him.”