#Edo2020: ‘No Man With Conscience Can Support Ize-iyamu’ – Wike

• Says godfatherism impedes development

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Thursday expressed surprise that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will support its candidate in the Edo State governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu despite the weighty allegations against him.

In a social media statement signed by Paulinus Nsirim, Commissioner for Information and Communication, Governor Wike said it is ‘difficult’ to contemplate that the leadership of APC are still standing with Osagie Ize-Iyamu to canvass votes for him.

He said: “anybody with conscience and truly loves democracy cannot be proud to support a man who is facing corruption charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC)”.

“President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s came to fight corruption. But the APC candidate is facing corruption charges. Except they are saying he was charged before because he was of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) then.

“I don’t think that anybody with conscience, integrity, and love for democracy in Nigeria can openly support Ize-Iyamu when the allegations against him have not been refuted. If AdamsOshomhole is supporting him now, then he must apologise to Edo people, tell them that he told a lie about him four years ago.

“Godfatherism is playing out again. It hampers performance in government and Edo people must rise to stop it, and then other Nigerians will begin to emulate such courage”, he stated.

Governor Wike who is the chairman, PDP National Campaign Council, noted that in a viral video, the APC candidate had allegedly threatened violence on Edo electorate.

“Violence is both when you issue threat and give directives. In that video, he told the boys to move from unit to unit, from ward to ward. This is a violation of the provisions and guidelines of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Governor Godwin Obaseki has always preached peace and has urged his supporters not to retaliate. But when people come to snatch ballot boxes in order to stop you from exercising your fundamental right, certainly, you will protect your votes.

“Taking away the mandate of the people is an unforgivable sin. It denies the people good governance that they seek and should enjoy.

Governor Wike also spoke about the failure of the Federal Government to tackle the rising insecurity in the country.

He said suggestions offered by the opposition are rejected because in Nigeria everything is politicised. The Governor further said Nigerians are “seeing that APC has failed the country and it is up to them to vote them out at the appropriate time”.

He noted that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been immersed in corruption and has turned out to produce Chief Executives and Directors with governorship ambitions.

Governor Wike said the revision of the 2020 budget of Rivers State, would not slow down the pace of development .