Ize-Iyamu to Oshiomhole: PDP does not need to rig elections in Edo -

BY  GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE
BENIN—THE Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu group, which recently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, assured Governor Adams Oshiomhole that the party will not rig next year’s elections, adding that there will be no need to do so as the party was solidly on ground to win elections in the state without resorting to rigging.

Ize-Iyamu, who addressed journalists at his campaign office in Benin,  said in reference to the warning that those thinking of rigging next year’s election should have a re-think because of its dare consequences, said: “The PDP does not need to rig the 2015/2016 elections as alleged by the governor. What we want is implementation of one man one vote.
“The same way we worked for him to win as governor in 2007 and 2012, is the same way we will work for PDP to win in Edo State.”  He noted that the best way to secure political power was to develop the environment, hence their choice of the PDP.
He also explained that their decision to leave the APC for the PDP was due to lack of internal democracy in the party as well as the deceit and autocracy that characterised its leadership style.
On the visit of his group to Abuja while the ultimatum it gave to the governor had not elapsed, he said: “Our visit to Abuja was not a secret. We went with the full knowledge of the governor and all that mattered in the state. There was also the media in Abuja but we choose not to speak with them at the end of the meeting because we were still waiting for the governor.
“When we came back, we went to the governor and he appealed to us to exercise patience and give him time to sort out our grievances. We gave him time and it will interest you to note that till date, we have not heard from the appeal panel that was set up to look into the various complaints.”
He noted that they were attracted by the reforms the PDP were undergoing in the state.
“In Edo, the party is not contented to call itself just PDP, they call themselves the new PDP. From what we have seen, it is clear to us that they have changed,” he said.