*No clash between Obaseki and deputy, Shaibu – Gov’s spokesman*

The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie has flayed rumours that there was a clash between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu.

In a statement, Osagie said the falsehood could only have emanated from the All Progressives Congress (APC), who have no substance in their campaign and are only adept at spinning the rumour mill and concocting alternative facts to massage the egos of their paymasters who cannot run an issue-based campaign but rely primarily on tale-telling and propaganda.

According to him, “The lie that there was a clash between the governor and his deputy should be dismissed in its entirety. Whatever incident they allude to only exists in the imagination of the purveyors.

“There was indeed a meeting with key stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which ended with everyone in high spirit. There was a spirit of cordiality and everyone shared their ideas and inputs on how to deliver the party in the September 19 governorship election.”

Osagie advised the general public to disregard the falsehood and any other such tales the band of dishonest people would spin in the days ahead as the election draws near.

He urged Edo people to ensure they are kept away from government by voting en-masse for Governor Obaseki and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, in the September 19 governorship election.

Edo: Ize-Iyamu laments rejection by APC govs as 2023 torrents spill

The All Progressives Congress in Edo State has suspended the formal flag-off of its Governorship campaign indefinitely, following alleged refusal by 14 out of 18 Governors elected on the platform of the party (names withheld) to endorse a future that is shrouded in a dense fog of uncertainty as the Candidate of the party in the September 19, Governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu continue to struggle through a significant logjam in his most ambitious and dangerous political endeavour.

Investigation revealed that the Governors decision to distance themselves from the Pastor Ize-Iyamu Campaign borders on the the alleged failure to carryout the directive of Yobe Governor, Mai-Mala Buni and Chairman of APC Caretaker/extra-ordinary Convention Committee directive to the warring factions of the party in Edo State to fuse their party structure into the leadership of Bar. Anselm Ojezua as part of peace deal after the APC National Executive Council (NEC) sacked the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by its former Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on June 25, 2020 after the crisis rocking the party attained its apex level ahead of the 2023 General election.

Speaking at a zoom meeting with sub-Coordinators of his Campaign recently, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, described attempt by the APC Governors to abandon him mid-way as distasteful and unfortunate.

A personal aide to Pastor Ize-Iyamu, hinted our Correspondent that his Principal almost broke down in tears while lamenting that he "is becoming home and dry as a result of the development.

“I am fully aware that about 14 APC Governors are not for us. The most worrisome aspect of it is that, they are neither hiding nor apologetic about why they are not supporting him".

According to the aide, the little that he (Ize-Iyamu) has achieved so far, is as a result of his one personal and the support of a popular Benin business Mongol and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The source also quoted the Edo APC Governorship Candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, also blamed his travails on the national leader of APC, Mr Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over their unwillingness to reconcile with their formal allies including most of the APC northern Governors to have a change of heart and pave the way for the opposition party to full the gauntlet APC campaign as destructive trajectory created by preference of the 14 APC for the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic party in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki, becomes glaring.

But Ize-Iyamu, according to the source, was however encouraged at the meeting not to concede defeat, despite the daunting challenges ahead of him including his inability to agree on a particular venue for the formal flag-off of his campaign.