The conflicting reports over supports to the two leading contenders for the Edo gubernatorial election, Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu have thrown the observers into confusion.
Two conflicting reports have continued to dominate the media space particularly social media outlets.
One of the reports claims that Obaseki’s family recently abandoned their son and gave their endorsement to his rival, Ize-Iyamu, while on the other hand, another report claims that Ize-Iyamu family members dumped their own, Osagie and endorsed Obaseki of the PDP.
While Obaseki family allegedly claimed that their son; incumbent governor of the state, Godwin failed woefully and therefore lacks justification for a reelection into office, Ize-Iyamu family allegedly claimed that their son has many corrupt allegations to contend with, and therefore unfit to be trusted the fate of Edo people to lead as governor.
“This morning, I received the endorsement of the prominent Obaseki family at a meeting led by Mr. Osaro and Victor Obaseki. Like the Governor’s aides and appointees, members of his family agree he has failed Edo people and doesn’t deserve re-election”, Ize-iyamu stated.
According to the report, Ize-Iyamu family in their words said, “Generally, the Obasekis have their own way of doing things. The different branches of the Obaseki family, we are supporting our brother, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. We will do all our campaigns for him fully, without let or hindrance.”
On the other hand, it was reported that some members of Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s family have rejected his candidacy, and have thrown their weight behind Governor Godwin Obaseki’s re-election.
According to the report, Mr Osazee Ize-Iyamu, who spoke on behalf of the family in Benin City on Saturday, noted that “Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has too much baggage that compromise his candidacy for the gubernatorial election”.
“The family is not sentimental about their decision. We are unanimous about this and Obaseki is our preferred candidate at this time. Ize-Iyamu, compared to the technocrat governor, is no match, by any standards”.
“Obaseki has fixed roads that lead to our houses without asking questions about the people who live in such neighborhoods. Our public schools are looking better than private schools in Edo State and we have not had a single strike by workers in the state under Obaseki.
“More importantly, members of the Ize-Iyamu family who are retirees have been receiving their monthly pension without stress under Obaseki. These are things we did not enjoy when Osagie Ize-Iyamu was chief of staff and Secretary to the state government”.
He summed that Obaseki is the right man to govern the state. Adding that the last three years and eight months are sufficient proof that Obaseki is the right man for the job.
How true the claims are is a matter for another day. Investigation points that these are propaganda from one of the leading political parties. However, what is important is that Edo people should not be confused by the falsehood and propaganda. Ensure that the right candidate is voted for on September 19. Period.