One of the frontliners of the All Progressives Congress contesting for the Edo State governorship seat, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, said that nobody will stop him from contesting the primary elections of the party.
The cleric was reportedly one of the 23 aspirants purportedly screened out of contesting the party’s primary elections by Professor Julius Ihonvbere-led committee in Abuja.
The pastor reiterated his stand on the governorship race at the weekend at Benin Airport while addressing supporters and chieftains from the three senatorial districts in the state that came to welcome him.
He alleged that his purported exclusion from contesting the party’s primaries was orchestrated by those afraid of his person and popularity, according to Daily Post.
He said, “The purported report of my exclusion and other aspirants from contesting the party’s primaries election by the Professor Julius Ihonvbere-led screening panel is ‘mere rumour’.
“The action is orchestrated by those who are afraid of my popularity. I want to assure you that I am in the race and by next week, by the grace of God, I will collect the form. Any Edo person is worthy of the ticket and I am not a stranger. I want to assure you that your support will not be in vain and there is nothing to worry about.”
Continuing, he said: “When you are contesting for an election, there are bound to be intrigues and all kinds of rumours and stories. The highest organ of our party issued a statement through the publicity secretary, particularly on the Edo Governorship election and specifically said that all those who have aspirations to run for governorship should go and collect the form.”
While assuring the supporters and chieftains that only the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, has the power to screen out any aspirant, he disclosed that by next week he will purchase the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms.