Osagie Ize-Iyamu, one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Edo State, has withdrawn from the race to elect the party’s flagbearer.
The Edo APC governorship primary election is scheduled to take place on Saturday.
On February 10, Ize-Iyamu and 11 other governorship hopefuls were screened and cleared to contest in the party’s primary.
Speaking at a press conference in Benin on Friday, Ize-Iyamu said the decision to withdraw from the governorship race was “painful.”.
He added that his withdrawal from the race is in the interest of peace and unity of the party.
He, however, pledged to support any of the APC governorship aspirants who would win Saturday’s primary election.
“I entered the contest as a progressive democrat, with an open mind to keenly contest and accept the result of a process that is fair, credible, and transparent,” he said.
“I appreciate the commendable effort made by the national working committee (NWC) of the APC.
“To correct the erroneous impression maliciously created by certain persons that some aspirants, including myself, had been disqualified from the gubernatorial contest.
“The NWC constituted the authentic screening committee, and all twelve aspirants who purchased and completed the nomination forms were successfully screened and subsequently issued clearance certificates.
“This step was praiseworthy and helped in restoring our integrity in the eyes of the public. Having been cleared to contest, I regrettably wish to announce my withdrawal from the race.
“Although painful, this decision has become imperative after an exhaustive consultation with my family, friends, political associates, and supporters.
“I make this sacrifice in the interest of the peace and unity that the party desperately requires at both state and national levels.
“I humbly appeal to the good people of Edo State to accept my decision, which is very personal, and I promise to be there for them at all times.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of the party for their fairness and commitment to the democratic process.
“I acknowledge the fatherly role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, as well as the party’s national leadership, for their fairness and commitment to the democratic process,” he said.
Ize-Iyamu was the APC candidate in the 2020 Edo governorship election.
