Applauding Ize-Iyamu’s Aversion To Campaign Of Calumny -By Isaac Asabor

In recent times, electioneering campaigns in Edo State has become the politics of personal attack, vilification, and insults. Various attempts have been made to stop this brand of electioneering campaign, including the advocacy that was recently made by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, theflag bearer of Edo All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming gubernatorial election come September 19, 2020 for  issued-based campaigns.

It would be recalled that the APC candidate, PastorOsagie Ize-Iyamu, recently urged other political parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to adopt issue-based campaigns rather than itspresent show of mudslinging culture of bravado. His position against theretrogressive manner of campaign that is fast becoming deep-rooted in the Statewas made known in a statement released by Mr. John Mayaki, the Director of Communication and Media of Ize-Iyamu’s Campaign Organization.

Mayaki said it was shameful and disappointing that a government that boasts of purported incredible achievements of its almost fouryears in power would resort to mudslinging and campaign of calumny in its bid to muzzle out Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, its most feared opponent whose popularity has risen to dizzying heights instead of showing Edo people its so-called massive achievements.

He said, “I noticed the campaign of calumny by Governor Godwin Obaseki in Benin where the Governor sponsored the erection of billboards against the Governor of Kano State and former Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. It only shows that PDP and its candidate have nothing to show and offer Edo people at all,” he said. “From the beginning of the race, our party, the All Progressives Congress, has distinguished itself with a rancor-free, issue-based campaign that is focused on the people and how we intend to bring about needed development and progress in Edo state.” “This was demonstrated in our internal primaries contest that was marked by mutual respect and complete absence of mudslinging.” “But the same cannot be said for the other party where two of their aspirants, days before their primaries, roundly condemned Governor Godwin Obaseki as a failure.

”You also recall how one of the party leaders, Governor Nyesom Wike, of Rivers state, castigated members of the PDP NWC as “tax collectors” as a counter-move to alleged attacks on his persons by his party leadership.” “Such is the lack of unity and principles that exist in the PDP. It is just an assemblage of persons seeking power and as such, they have already polluted the space with unguarded statements, baseless accusations, and smear campaigns targeted at our candidate and other members of our party.” “But we refuse to join them in that rabbit hole. Our candidate, Pastor OsagieIze-Iyamu, and all members of our party across all levels will execute a campaign based on the SIMPLE agenda, our manifesto and policy plans, and practical steps on how we intend to return the state on the path of growth if elected on September 19.”

Against the foregoing background, it goes to say that politics in the state has gotten to a repulsive level where political candidates for an election could go to the extent of shaming other politicians through insults, and in that vein showing how the issue of intemperate language has become entrenched in Edo political discourse. Ostensibly taking pride in the style of campaign adopted by his campaign team, Ize-Iyamu recently assured that his party will not run afoul of Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) regulations on the conduct of campaigns ahead of the September 19 polls. He said this in a statement issued by Mayaki. He explained that his party is not oblivious of the extant regulations on the rules of campaigns within the context of the coronavirus disease.

He said, “We are well aware that INEC has provided a policy framework for all political parties with clear provisions on how to conduct campaigns without compromising the health of the electorates or jeopardizing the efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease.” “As a responsible political party and candidate, the All Progressives Congress, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Mallam Gani Audu have carefully studied the regulations and are strictly complying with them.”

“Our campaigns are domesticated and carried out at the grassroots in safe cells to prevent dangerous gatherings and inter-communal movements.” “We have also adapted all our campaign processes for the electronic media, specifically the internet.” “We disseminate information to our campaign staff through safe online platforms and we also fully utilize all available opportunities to engage and interact with Edo people through popular social media platforms. 

“An example is the daily streaming of a concise analysis of the POI/GANI SIMPLE agenda that we just launched across the socials of our candidate. He will be participating himself and taking feedback directly from the people.” “It is the first of its kind and it demonstrates our innovative ability to safely navigate the times and readiness to comply with all health and safety regulations while making our campaigns strictly issued- based.

”Without any iota of exaggeration, Ize-Iyamu deserves to be applauded for fervently believing in peaceful and credible elections, and for seeing it as essential for democracy to thrive. There is no denying the fact that when elections are peaceful, free and fair, it can help facilitate a smooth transfer of power from one administration to another and confer legitimacy on elected officials. Observation of the ongoing electioneering campaigns in Edo State ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election has shown that Ize-Iyamu has remained a force to reckon with in the promotion of peaceful election come September 19. To my view, the efforts of the politician, pastor and businessman need to be applauded particularly in this democratic dispensation when the process of electing leaders in Edo has been plagued by a myriad of problems ranging from voter intimidation and suppression, to harassment and outright violence among other inanities. These acts which many Edolites believe are sponsored by the political class have denied many people in the state their rights to participate in governance in a way that benefits them and society, directly or through chosen representatives. Marginalized groups like youth, women and people with disabilities are impacted the most. The role of Edolites, particularly the youths, in election-related violence has been particularly dynamic, in that they have been perpetrators and victims at the same time. Due to eroding societal values and poverty, they are easy recruits for attacks on political opponents.