…lauds APC, supporters, Buhari neutrality in Edo guber poll

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Sept. 19 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu with his running mate, Mallam Gani Audi, has said that they are at liberty to seek any legal option as long as it does not threaten the peace of the State.

He explained that if the PDP and their agents and privies do not pass up their rights under the law to discontinue 13 law suits instituted against them after the poll, the APC will not do otherwise.

Ize-Iyamu who made the remark on Thursday in his congratulatory message to mark Nigeria’s 60th jubilee anniversary, which was endorsed by John Mayaki, Director of Communication and Media to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organization, however did not give details of the pending suits.

According to him, “Even as we speak, our people should know that PDP and their agents and privies have instituted 13 law suits against my running mate and I. None of them have they discontinued after the election.  So, if the PDP don’t pass up their rights under the law, why should we, in APC, do so?  

“So, we are at liberty to pursue any legal option we deem fit, so long as the peace of Edo, our beloved homeland, is not threatened”, he stressed.

The APC Candidate, commended supporters and members of his party for their immeasurable sacrifices and support as well as President Muhammadu Buhari for providing a level playing field for all Candidates irrespective of party affiliations.

He stated that the unexpected development, helped in a great deal to avert the predictions of doomsayers that democracy will be nailed on a tortured stick in Edo after the election.

“But let me especially salute our members, and  loyal APC leaders, who resolutely stood by us.  We will forever appreciate your devotion and sacrifice.  You did your noble duty and did enough to enhance our cause.  We cannot thank you enough.

“At least, after the Edo election, democracy wasn’t declared to be in intensive care unit (ICU), as our PDP friends would have shrieked, had they lost the election!  That is democratic spirit the president displayed during and after September 19.  I pray and hope that our friends would remember – indeed, inculcate – that spirit, and wean themselves from their win-at-all-costs mentality”, he advised.

Continuing, “But then, the question is after September 19, what next?  We owe you an explanation of the way forward.  Indeed, not a few have been bombarding us with this question.  Well, we have kept quiet so far, not because we are bad losers, as some unfairly presume.  It’s rather because, no matter the situation, we are staunch soldiers of the rule of law and due process.

“Suffice it to say that, with due sensitivity to the feelings of our people, we are busy collating our facts.  Only after, can we speak and speak authoritatively, in the best tradition of rule of law, fairness to all and due process.  We will brief you all in good time and that time is near.

“In the course of our methodical approach, not a few deem to have preempted our course of action; and pleaded that we do not proceed to the courts to challenge the election results.

“While that cannot be dismissed as an entirely bad plea, what I can say is that whatever action we subsequently take would be rooted in due process and the rule of law.  We will exercise every right available to us under the law, given the electoral facts at our disposal”.

The APC Candidate who came second in the election which was won by the Candidate of PDP, Governor Godwin Obaseki, also gave a brief historical perspective on Nigeria’s Independence and the journey to nationhood since the past three decades in the statement which was seen by our Correspondent.

“So, until you hear from us, I beseech our members to remain peace and law-abiding.  Let us enjoy the rare pleasure of our nation clocking 60”, he said.

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