[OPINION] Edo Votes: Fear Grips Ize-Iyamu’s Camp Over Impending Melancholy Court Judgement

Rising Contentious fear continue to whisper its hot dispositions in the ever fragile camp of Pastor Osagie IZE-IYAMU’S and his supporters over the impending Melancholy court judgment.

This in tune, has gradually separated the shaft from the wheat in Edo State Political atmosphere, making it More interesting and messier by the day.

Political players, artisans and key stakeholders are ever rallying support for those they could trust to deliver dividends of democracy to the four walls.

Trust is a small word but a big concept and a producer has ultimate trust in his products when showcased in public glare to deliver what he says it can

In all of it, non of the political actors expect to get hundred percent supports from the electorate, hence the reason for the choice in opinions.

The wish from the “all-around supporters” is that they get a fair share of the vote cast to build a chance of winning for their allies.

But for Pastor Osagie IZE-IYAMU and his supporters, their fates are hinged on the impending court’s judgment.

Weeks in and out, Pastor Osagie IZE-IYAMU desires to oust the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki have continued to hit recurring snags raising serious concerns about his legitimate quest to participate in the general election.

Looking critically at so many things surrounding him,(IZE-IYAMU), one may be forced to believe he has slim chances of coasting to victory.

First, for one to vote and be voted for you must have a valid Membership card as proof one’s status.

You must also have a clean bill on criminal tendencies.

However, his Membership question marks and the Seven Hundred Million Naira q alleged stolen funds are perceived to be clogging his political advancements as a racer in the 2020 Gubernatorial Election.

According to multiple sources, Pastor Osagie IZE-IYAMU who claimed to have completed his online registration during a Nationwide Television Program aired by AIT had reportedly struggled to provide evidence in court against the run of a play about his validated Membership.

Second in the Catalogue of questions is the litigation against his party splinter platform, (APC), to contend with.

The many litigations against his legitimacy to continue in the Gubernatorial race can be a terminal challenge he may probably encounter, if he crosses as a consensus candidature for the All Progressive Congress, APC splinter Group.

The interim injunction directing that parties maintain status quo as of 10/11/2019, with regards to the chairmanship of the APC, Edo State Chapter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice praying for an interlocutory injunction is another area that must be seen to be a weathering storm for the embattled politician.

Recall that, Issa-Onilu, Imuse and Azebanmwan, breached the court order by parading Imuse as the State Chairman of the APC against the orders of the court.

In a motion on notice made available to journalists in Benin City, Ojezua prayed that the court grants an order committing the contemnors to prison for contempt of court and disobedience of the court on 22nd November 2019.

The notice reads, “Take notice that this Honourable Court will be moved on the 14th day of July 2020 at the hour of 9 o’clock in the forenoon or so soon thereafter as counsel may be heard on behalf of the Claimants/Applicants praying this Honourable Court for the following;

“An order committing (1) Col. David Imuse (Rtd), (2) Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, (3) Chris Azebanmwan to prison for contempt of Court and/or disobedience of the order of this Honourable Court made on 22nd day of November 2019.

“And as such further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance of this case”

The forebear portents of pastor Ize-Iyamu’s disqualification if he eventually scale through as the consensus candidature of the splinter APC Group could be the sizzling and inordinate desire of emerging godfathers who believe that their words should be law.

Ize-Iyamu’s partnership with the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole would have been the last straw for Governor Godwin Obaseki’s Reelection but his parochialism and notch for dominancy has ridiculously sentenced his ambitions to Oblivion while he faces further suspension from his ward.

Although, in a recent talk from his loyalists, it was reported that, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s Ban had been lifted, however, it was immediately countered by loyalists to Obaseki’s Reelection drive.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Etsako Ward 10, Oshawo Stephen, dismissed the claim that the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as a member of the party has been lifted, insisting that, the ward executives stand by their suspension of the erstwhile National Chairman of the APC.

In a statement, Stephen said the ward executives who were elected into office in 2018 remain intact and have not been displaced by anybody, describing the claims of the lifting of the suspension as a charade.

According to him, “The suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the ward executives remains valid. The statements to the contrary in the media are false and should be disregarded. We stand by our decision and have no reservation on the action as it is in the best interest of the party”.

“The ward executives, as well as our counterparts at the Etsako West Local Government level, stand by the suspension of Comrade Oshiomhole for his divisive role in the crisis rocking the APC in Edo State.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman APC in Etsako West LGA, Ezolomhe Rabiat, also affirmed that the LGA executives are still members of the party in the state and stand by the suspension of Comrade Oshiomhole.

Ize-Iyamu’s many troubles began even before the suspension of his fiery Godfather who also described him as a notorious fit on the road to gubernatorial campaigns of 2015.

Truth be told, Anslym Ojiezua remains the party Chairman pending on court judgment which abinitio validates his position taken a quote from the court restraining both parties to status quo.

Until otherwise judgment from the Court that may perhaps go, either way, Pastor Osagie IZE-IYAMU Membership remains in doubt and faces a serious uphill task.

Governor Godwin Obaseki’s Reelection stands a better chance having moved alongside his structures to an already roaring to clip the state election victory Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, owing largely to the crisis tearing apart the ruling All Progressive Congress in Edo State.

The coming weeks will be intriguing and very fascinating considering the rising tensions on the political fray.

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