Ize-Iyamu lists those who set the stage for the battle against Obaseki

Osagie Ize-Iyamu has expressed gratitude to those who made it possible for him to emerge as the main aspirant to challenge Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the September governorship election.

On Tuesday, Ize-Iyamu emerged the consensus aspirant of the APC faction loyal to Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the party.

Subsequently, he picked up the expression of interest and nomination forms for the governorship primary election scheduled for June 22.

In a statement, the governorship aspirant expressed gratitude for the “unprecedented cooperation” which led to his emergence as the consensus aspirant, and commended all those who contributed towards the purchase of his nomination form.

“I thank God Almighty for his love and benevolence towards us. He is the one that promotes and we give him all the glory for our cohesion, unity and sacrifice which has led to our unprecedented cooperation,” the statement read.

“With great humility, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Pius Odubu, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, General Charles Airhavbere (rtd), Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, Hon. Saturday Uwuilekwe and Professor Ebegue Amadasun for their exemplary leadership, maturity, and substantial contribution towards my purchase of the nomination and expression of interest form to fly the banner of our party, the All Progressives Congress, in the governorship election.

“Apart from the substantial contribution, they also honored me with their presence at the party Headquarters in Abuja where I obtained the nomination form which they endorsed with their signatures. I am deeply honored by their generosity, largeness of heart, and personal sacrifice.

“Because of the example they have set and their praiseworthy insistence on what binds us together, our party is united and better-positioned to face the challenges that lay ahead. I am grateful to them even as I look forward to our joint and all-inclusive task of redeeming our state and returning it back on the path of peace, development, and progress.

“I am equally grateful to the honorable members of the National Assembly, great men who sighting the greatness in our vision, decided to make their support pronounced through many tangible efforts. The mission remains moving Edo forward and when we do, it would be to the benefit of all Edo men, women, and children.

“I am unreservedly grateful to the aspirants, colleagues, and all good-hearted progressives who have gone ahead to congratulate me. I send out a big thank you to officials, workers, aides, creatives, thinkers, analysts, volunteers, who all in their various offices, roles, and designation, have contributed in moving the cog of our party, in motivating the wheels of our vision, helping us stay aright in the path.

“It is an era where everyone matters and my gratitude, without equivocation, goes to everyone.”

The aspirant had earlier said those who brought Obaseki to power feel he has not performed up to expectation.

Ize-Iyamu, then candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ran against Obaseki in 2016 but lost.

He then defected to the APC in December. The Edo governorship election is scheduled for September 19.