By Abiola Olawale
A Former Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Edo state government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has formally announced his decision to withdraw from the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state.
The announcement was made in a letter dated February 16, 2024, and addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and copied the Edo State Acting chairman of the party, Jarrett Tenebe.
Though the decision comes a few hours to the Saturday’s primaries in Edo, Ize-Iyamu, one of the leading aspirants, said it was taken after exhaustive consultations with family and friends.
He said that he made the sacrifice to withdraw in the interest of peace and unity that the party desperately required at both state and national levels.
The letter reads, “Having been cleared to contest. I regretfully 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.”
The decision came hours after another foremost aspirant in the race, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, had bowed out.
Agbonayinma, on Thursday, had said that he withdrew from the race because of the tragic death of his son in faraway United States of America.
