Despite Negative Predictions, Ize-Iyamu’s Campaign Train Roars To Victory -By Isaac Asabor

Before the ongoing electioneering campaign in Edo State began to heat up the polity as it appears to be at the moment, a lot of people have been spilling a lot of ink and burning a lot of data; writing and commenting about what they erroneously perceived as slim chance that awaits Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer in the upcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for September 19, 2020. To some, he will face an impenetrable brick wall based on name callings the former governor of the State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole expressed against him ahead of the 2016 gubernatorial election. To them, the disaffection the name-calling might cause him among the electorates will make the people treat him like a leper and rebuff his candidacy.

But alas! Since Ize-Iyamu’s campaign train undeniably zoomed off from the Sports Complex of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Saturday where a teeming crowd that comprised 11 state governors, ministers affiliated to the APC among other party chieftains and party supporters, those that thought he would not make headway in his campaign have started to eat their words.

The question that appears to be on their lips is “Can anybody stop him?” And the simple truth is that it’s very, very unlikely that anyone, among the other 13 political aspirants registered for the upcoming election, can beat Ize-Iyamu. If you were putting honest money down right now, and you were a smart gambler, you would bet Ize-Iyamu. Here’s why.

Ostensibly exuding the hope that is inherent in President Muhammadu Buhari request that APC leaders and the campaign team should all do the needful, and follow legal and constitutional means to win the election, and given the huge presence of cheering crowds that have been welcoming his campaign train wherever it made whistle stop; which unarguably signifies his acceptance among the electorates in the State, virtually all the party chieftains had being optimistic that Ize-Iyamu will breast the tape in the race. The foregoing sanguine view was equally shared by the gubernatorial aspirant who said the presence of the huge cheering crowd and chieftains of the party are testament to the fact that Edo State has chosen APC and will demonstrate this choice at the polls.

Despite the personal attack, vilification and insults that his traducers have undeservedly been unleashing against his personality all in the name of politics, Ize-Iyamu has surprisingly been pulling cheering crowds since his campaign train zoomed off. A friend of mine, after watching the cheering crowd on television said in pidgin, “This nor be photoshop crowds wey dem go begin post for facebook. This na real.” The foregoing, no doubt speaks well of the preparedness of Ize-Iyamu ahead of the election.

Not only that, he has been gaining wide acceptance and endorsement from personalities that have the influence of swaying votes among the electorates. The endorsements that have been trailing his campaign train are not empty endorsements that are devoid of electoral values, and which are the kind of endorsements his opponents have been bragging online with since the electioneering campaign commenced in the State.

Contrary to his traducers’ characteristic tissues of lies that his campaign train at a point on its way to Edo Central Senatorial District experienced a hitch on Monday, precisely on August 11, 2020, the crew, led by the former APC national chairman and governor, Adams Oshiomhole, also visited the palace of the Onojie of Igueben, Ehizojie Ailuojierio, where they met with him and other royal chiefs in Esanland.

It would be recall that the campaign team of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mischievously alleged that Ize-Iyamu was chased out of the palace of the Onogie of Igueben following a brawl between the Onogie of Uromi and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

However, according to Ize-Iyamu, “We officially kicked off our campaign today in Igueben LGA, Esan land. We paid homage to the Onojie of Igueben, HRH Ehizogie Ailuojerio I, and he gave his blessings.

I assured him, and the people of Igueben, of our plans and commitment to harness the agricultural potentials of the LGA, secure their farmlands, partner with farmers to improve yields, and provide access to ready markets.

We will run an administration that delivers development, not one that wastes time and resources on worthless MOUs.

Earlier, Ize-Iyamu commissioned a water borehole donated by Professor Steve Iyayi to the people of his community, Idumuuwangue quarters, Efabdion, Uromi, Esan North East LGA.

While commending Professor Iyayi for his generosity and display of leadership which he said will no doubt bring relief to the people, he said, “I’m greatly saddened that in 2020, our communities still lack potable water and other basic amenities, leaving them with no choice than to resort to self-help.

He added “I was told a very tragic story of a primary school pupil who was swept away by erosion in the community last year after several requests to the state government on urgent erosion control measures and other critical interventions that went unheeded.

“It is irresponsible and wicked for the incumbent governor to neglect these communities while campaigning, through proxies, on a deceitful ‘Esan Agenda’ despite recording no single achievement in Edo Central in the four years he has been in office.

“We cannot continue with this. Esan people, and the people of Edo State, deserve a responsible and honest Governor with a clear, documented plan on how to open up communities through careful investments and infrastructure development; build and sustain a respectful partnership with local community heads to address the true concerns of the people; and run inclusive governance with equal opportunities for all”.

To my view, it is expedient at this juncture to remind those who are in the Christendom, and who are certainly working in alliance with those in the opposing camp that they should not forget the word of God in Philippians chapter 1 verse 6 that says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns”.

In the same vein, they should also not forget that what God has ordained and chosen must surely be done, and that no matter the level of calumny they may have been mischievously exhibiting against Ize-Iyamu that God’s decision must surely prevail. If I may ask, do some people really think that they can stop what God has ordained for another’s man life?

There are some who think that the destiny or blessing of another person is all in their hands. It is the truth but what error they are in. Little do they know that what God has ordained or set in motion in any man’s life will surely come to pass.