The defeat suffered by the People’s Democratic Party and her candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the just concluded September 28th Governorship election in Edo state was unwittingly orchestrated the former Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, a statement by the Executive Director, Media and Public Affairs, Governor’s Office, Mr. John Mayaki said yesterday.

Mayaki said there was no doubt that the All Progressives Congress candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki would carry the day in the fiercely contested election though with equal chances of both candidates becoming Governor until the PDP candidate allegedly made a public statement that he would make the birthday celebration of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Esama of Benin a state affair when he becomes governor.

Mayaki said, “Even though Ize-Iyamu later came out to say Lucky Igbinedion was misquoted, the message had already been passed. Besides, the statement credited to Lucky Igbinedion, former governor of the state that the governor of the state will come from Igbinedion political family did not go down well with the people of the state, who still remember how the former governor ruined the state for eight years”.

Oshiomhole’s media aide said, “Igbinedion never came out to withdraw the statement and Edo people, especially the Binis were said to have promised to reply him with their votes.

“It is also a known fact that the people of the state cannot forget in a hurry the prominent role Ize-Iyamu played during the 8-year administration of Igbinedion, where little or nothing was achieved.

“This was a huge setback for Ize-Iyamu and no doubt, this worked against him during the election, which he eventually lost to Obaseki. A school of thought believed that if Ize-Iyamu was voted in as governor, then the Igbinedion family would have technically returned to power.

“In addition, what worked for Obaseki was the massive development strides of Oshiomhole in Edo and during the campaigns, the Comrade Governor went a step further by following him round the 18 local government areas, telling Edo people that he (Obaseki) would take Edo to the next level”.

True

No campaign after election. GO carry Go!!!