Who Will Tell Ize-Iyamu’s Traducers That Election Is Over? -By Isaac Asabor

There is something quite eccentric and sardonic that I have noticed since after the gubernatorial election that was conducted in Edo State on September 19, 2020. Despite the fact that the election is over, most supporters of the winner, the incumbent governor of the State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, are still all over the social media ostensibly scrambling to outdo one another on who will traduce the character of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the major contestant with the governor in the election most. Yes, that is how it seems and it is the prevailing political reality.

Isn’t it strange that despite Ize-Iyamu not being the winner that his name seems to be resounding across the country, particularly in Edo State? Since the election was concluded with a winner, there has never been a dull moment albeit for the wrong reason for those whose niggle has remained either Ize-Iyamu or Comrade Adams Oshiomhole or Godfatherism. There is no time that Facebook is logged into that one will not see a post on Ize-Iyamu from those that can in this context be referred to as internet thugs. Isn’t it laughable that the campaign of calumny which was mischievously directed at Ize-Iyamu appears to be ongoing even after 2 weeks that the election was concluded? Despite the taunting, mocking, and sardonic celebration, Ize-Iyamu being a Pastor has no doubt been comporting himself with equanimity. There is no denying the fact that apart from his religious disposition and his groundings in the scriptures that he equally understands what Eleanor Roosevelt meant when she said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”. In a similar vein, he has no doubt shown that he understands an African proverb that says, “Stop expecting to be understood by people who have little understanding of themselves”.

As one of his dyed in the wool supporters, I am since the conclusion of the election been happy for him as he has all along been exuding an unprecedented level of maturity over the outcome of the election. There is no denying the fact that his traducers want him to be crying, and continue to sulk. To their utter disappointment, he is not in any way exuding such negative emotions that are no doubt tantamount to self-pity.

For instance on Sunday, precisely on October 4, 2020, he dismissed claims that he is downcast over the outcome of the election, saying that he chose instead to express gratitude for the exercise, as well as immensely thank his supporters and those who assisted him before and during the election.

Without resort to hero-worshipping, Ize-Iyamu unarguably demonstrated that he is a true child of God as was seen in his demeanor during the Special Thanksgiving Service held in his Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Soul Winners Assembly, in Benin City, where he also said God expects Man to offer him praises in all situations.

The APC Governorship Candidate, whose sermon was titled “Utilizing Opportunities”, said every opportunity must be seized to achieve an aim.

On the outcome of the Election, Pastor Ize-Iyamu noted that defeat is an imagined state, and that since the Exercise he had not felt defeated.

Furthermore, he admonished his supporters not to allow the seed of defeat germinate amongst them, as God has decreed that all the “Earth is theirs”.

The minister additionally encouraged his members to heed God’s caution in Thessalonians 5:16-18 that true believers do not “give away to grief’, ‘rejoice evermore’ and ‘pray without ceasing’ as he (God) only can determine the future.”

The Edo State Regional Pastor of the RCCG, Professor Dele Balogun, also urged supporters of Pastor Ize-Iyamu not to lose focus as God may allow them to lose a battle and later win the war to test their faith.

I know his faith and comportment since the election was concluded is painful and annoying to his haters because in losing he has been carrying himself still himself like the winner. Against the backdrop of the foregoing, it is expedient to urge everyone that is calumniating Ize-Iyamu even after the election has been concluded to calm down and stop dying in bitterness. To me they should be called to order and told to stop sulking over Ize-Iyamu. From all indications he has gotten his groove back.

Amid unleashing a barrage of misinformation and falsehoods about him during the election, they have refused to think about any other thing that can move the State forward since the election was relatively peaceful other than negatively talking about Ize-Iyamu who has since the day the election was concluded moved on with his pastoral calling.

Despite all the slanderous comments which Oshiomhole made about Ize-Iyamu’s pastoral calling, and which the incumbent mischievously leveraged on, the APC gubernatorial candidate has in every way publicly shown that he has what it takes to be thankful to God in every condition, even in adversity as well as in prosperity.

Since the election has being concluded, it is important for us as Edolites to remember that our civic duty did not end at the ballot box on that September 19, 2020. No matter who we supported or voted for, we need to continue to make our voices heard, hold the government accountable and press on issues that are important to us. While the governor has a great deal of power, we the people also have collective power to hold the people in power accountable for the decisions they make and the issues they tackle.

At this juncture, it is expedient to advise those that are still behaving as if electioneering campaign is ongoing even since more than 3 weeks that campaign ahead of the election ended, that this is the propitious time for them to begin to remind the government in power of the promises made during the campaign. Those who are seemingly campaigning even after when the election is over should be told that the candidates were never at war. Even if they were, the time for their supporters to sheathe their swords is now; the time to exchange the olive branch is over and the time to support the winner, particularly for the fact that Edo state belongs to all of us is now.