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Tag: Ize-Iyamu

  • Edo poll: Again, Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu meet one-on-one, embrace warmly [Photo]

    Edo poll: Again, Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu meet one-on-one, embrace warmly [Photo]

    Top gladiators in the forthcoming Edo governorship, Godwin Obaseki (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) and Osagie Ize-Iyamu (All Progressives Congress, APC) met again on Tuesday to pledge their commitment to a peaceful election.

    The duo and other contestants met a peace accord convened by the National Peace Committee (NPC).

    According to Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, the peace accord signed by both candidates in Saturday’s Edo State governorship election is a test of integrity.

    Gen. Abdulsalami, who is the Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), warned on the consequences of a violent poll in the Southsouth state.

    The former Head of State said the integrity of the governor and that of his major challenger would be on the line, should they or their supporters violate the peace accord.

    Noting that tension has engulfed Edo, he thanked Benin monarch Oba Ewuare II for the step he took to calm frayed nerves.

    Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu, who signed the accord, pledged total commitment to a violence-free election and promised to prevail on their supporters to show decorum.

    Apart from Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu, 12 other governorship candidates signed the accord at the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, Benin City, the state capital, along with their party chairmen

    In accordance with the accord, the candidates, their parties and supporters are expected to accept the results of a free and fair poll.

    Also at the venue were Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Bishop Matthew Hassan-Kukah; Oba Ewuare II, who was represented by Chief David Edebiri, and Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.

    Gen. Abubakar lamented that elections have been characterised by varying degrees of violence since 1999.

    He said the tension and anxiety necessitated the setting up of NPC with the mandate to support peaceful election processes and cultivate a culture of peace.

    Abubakar stressed: “In 2014, the committee commenced efforts to support free, fair and credible elections and to ensure peaceful transition. The intervention of the committee contributed immensely to the success of the 2015 elections. The NPC has since 2015 successfully intervened in the general elections to ensure a peaceful outcome, right after the just past 2019 general elections.

    “The governorship election in Edo State is just a few days away and giving peace during and after the election is a priority and it must be done. We as a people should aspire to see Nigeria where people feel safe to come out of their homes to cast their votes without any fear.

    “The election cannot hold in the absence of a peaceful atmosphere, more importantly disharmony among political parties. All contesting parties need to adopt a code of conduct that will remove confrontation among them.

    “The NPC is in Edo State today (yesterday) to support this process, not just the signing of the peace accord by al candidates, but to also encourage you all to accept the outcome of the election, no matter the result.

    “By agreeing to sign this covenant of peace, all of you are committing yourselves to ensure an enduring peace in Nigeria and Edo State before, during and after the election and agreeing to look beyond short term political gains, sectoral interests or narrow party advantage and accepting nothing, but for the development of Edo State.

    “I urge all of us to use the process of election in Edo State as a test of future elections, as reiterated by President Muhammadu Buhari. Let every Nigerian be respected and be given an opportunity cast his or her vote, without intimidation or coercion and once that vote is cast, let us applaud that vote.

    “I ask all the stakeholders and key people here present to commit to the spirit of this accord, while also remembering that the violators of this accord are putting their integrity on line, because you are signing this as ladies and gentlemen who are to be taken for your words.”

    The former military leader urged the electorate to desist from selling their votes, which he said, would amount to selling their rights, freedom and conscience.

    Obaseki said: “Today (yesterday) is unique, as history is being made in Edo State, where we are having members of the NPC coming ahead of a major event, the election of September 19, to get all the contestants to sign a peace accord to ensure that there is violence-free election on that date

    “I want to say on behalf of myself, as a candidate of the party and my party, the PDP, that we are fully committed to ensuring that we have peaceful election. I have no choice, because in addition to being a candidate, I am also the governor and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the state. I want to commit publicly, once again, that I will live by the letter and spirit of the accord that has just been signed.

    “I want to appeal to the members of the national peace committee not to end their work with the signing of this accord, because there are other actors in the political space, who have influence and exercise influence in political space and also elections.

    “If you can reach out to them, if not to sign this accord, but to persuade them about the importance of an accord we have just signed, because the responsibility for peace should rest on everyone and particularly the candidates and also some non-direct political actors so that we can ensure that this exercise is total.”

    Ize-Iyamu said: “Let me, on behalf of the APC, thank the organisers of this event, for what they have just done and what has just been witnessed. We are particularly grateful to no less a person than Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, who came personally to supervise this event.

    “We are also appreciative of the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu and the other important personalities who have also come.”

  • Edo Poll: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu, others sign peace accord in Benin

    Edo Poll: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu, others sign peace accord in Benin

    Ahead of the Saturday Edo governorship poll, candidates for the election on Tuesday signed a peace accord, pledging to abide by the rules and regulations as stipulated in the electoral law.

    Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd.), the Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC) and former Head of State, said at the occasion that Edo deserved peace.

    He said: “As you are aware, since 1999, every election in Nigeria has been conducted with various degree of violence.

    “The tension and anxiety associated with election necessitated the setting up of the NPC who is to support peaceful election process and enthrone culture of peace.

    “The gubernatorial election in Edo state is only a few days away and we want peace during and after the election.

    “We want to see Nigeria as a place where people come out peacefully duri g election and cast their votes without deprivation, intimidation and cohesion.’’

    According to him, the NPC is in Edo today to support this process and not just signing the peace accord by all candidates but to encourage you all to accept the result no matter the outcome.

    The Chairman commended the Benin Monarch for the role he played in bringing peace to Edo.

    “By signing this peace accord today, you are committing yourselves to ensure an enduring peace in Nigeria and Edo State before, during and after the election.

    “We have been given assurances by the INEC Chairman who told us that they were ready with all the necessary logistics to conduct free and fair election.

    “So, the rest is left for you and the voters to do the right thing by desisting from selling your votes, vote buying, selling your right, conscience and freedom,” he added.

    He, however, called on all stakeholders to use the Edo election as a test for future elections in the country.

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governorship candidate, said shortly after signing the peace accord, that he was fully committed to ensuring that the election was violence free.

    “In addition to being a candidate, I am the Chief Security Officer of the state. I have no choice therefore, than to state publicly, once again, that we are committed to peace in our dear state.

    “Let me appeal to this national peace committee to extend same to some other political actors in the state who have influence in the political space,” Obaseki said.

    The governor urged the peace committee to ensure that the political actors, not only signed the accord, but to persuade them to see the need to ensure peace in the state.

    On his part, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Osagie Ize-iyamu, promised to talk to his supporters to conduct themselves in a manner to achieve peaceful poll.

    “We are grateful to the peace committee, INEC and the Police. We are also grateful to the Oba of Benin because, what we are witnessing today was actually initiated few weeks ago by the Oba,” he said.

    The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the NPC for their efforts to ensure a peaceful poll in Edo.

    The Oba, represented by the Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri, appealed to the Edo people to shun violence during the exercise.

    Earlier, The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission was fully prepared for the election, adding that all arrangements for the poll had been concluded.

    The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most. Rev. Matthew Kukah, the Co-convener of the event, urged the candidates not to see the signing of the accord as a mere ceremony, but to ensure peace.

  • Edo 2020: If there is no peace, there won’t be elections – Abubakar

    Edo 2020: If there is no peace, there won’t be elections – Abubakar

    The Chairman of the National Peace Committee, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Monday in Benin said that members of his committee were in the state to assist in ensuring that the Sept. 19 gubernatorial election was conducted peacefully.

    Abubakar stated this while addressing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governorship candidate, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, ahead of the peace pact by all parties involved in the elections.

    According to him, the political temperature in the state has been high in some areas for sometime, and the peace committee decided to assist in calming tensions because if there is no peace, there can’t be any elections.

    “So, your excellency, this is why we are here in Benin together with members of the peace committee and Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah is here.

    “Like I wrote you in my letter from the peace committee, tomorrow the signing of the peace pact will take place at 2pm between you, other candidates and their chairmen.

    “As you know the purpose of this committee is to ensure that all those involved in this election get hold of their supporters and party people to ensure that there is peace in the state,” Abubakar said.

    In his remarks, Gov. Obaseki welcomed the former head of state saying that his good work across the globe, where he had been seeking peace across trouble zones, spoke for him.

    “We just finished the stakeholders meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Mahmod Yakubu, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, where they informed us about the significance of signing this peace pact.

    “I just want to assure you that as a government and as an individual we totally align with your cause. It’s in our best interest as government to promote peace in our land.

    “We are committed to ourselves, our monarch, Oba Ewuare II, and our people to do all within our powers to maintain peace.

    “We are also going to applaud and support you to ensure that we take responsibility to ensure there is peace in this election,” Obaseki said.

  • Edo Election: Don’t sell your votes, Ize-Iyamu tells electorate

    Edo Election: Don’t sell your votes, Ize-Iyamu tells electorate

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Edo governorship election has urged the electorate in the state not to sell their votes come Sept. 19.

    Speaking at an APC ward-to-ward campaign on Sunday at Igbanke, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state, Ize-Iyamu urged the electorate in the area to vote according to their conscience.

    He said, “don’t allow anybody to use N3,000 or N5,000 to buy your conscience for the next four years.

    “APC is the right choice to vote for in the Sept. 19, election. APC has a better plan for development and it is a people-oriented government.”

    He assured of water projects, schools, roads, medical personnel and hospitals in the area if elected governor.

    In his remarks, former Governor of Edo, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, said ” voting for Obaseki for a second term is voting for continuity of bad government.

    “The roads we have in Igbanke are the roads done under my administration.

    “Obaseki’s government is a Yahoo Yahoo government and a government of deceit,” he said.

  • Edo 2020: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu go head-to-head in hot debate

    Edo 2020: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu go head-to-head in hot debate

    Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu on Sunday exchanged hot words at the Governorship debate organised by Channels Television.

    The two candidate disagreed and fought over every issue put across to them by the anchorman, Seun Okinbaloye.

    In the area of tax, Iyamu said he would abolish multiple taxation and that he would not allow people to collect money and put it in their pocket like it was being done in Obaseki’s government.

    “We need to Abolish multiple taxation. So many people are not in the tax net. We are going to support businesses to grow,” he said.

    But Obaseki said most of the tax he collected were from Pay As You Earn, PAYE, and that he would expand on that to rake in more taxes.

    “Pay as you earn accounts for the largest amount of taxes. What we have done is to try and expand that net.

    “We have also used technology to ensure that for the low income tax payers, we make it easy for them to pay their taxes,” he said.

    On whether the Civil Service is over bloated and whether he would cut down on the workforce, Obaseki said he would not cut down on the civil service, saying that “the problem is that it is overbloated. we need to bring in more people to work for government, smarter people and we need to train them.”

    Obaseki said the problem with the Edo State Civil Service was that it is aged.

    But Ize-Iyamu countered Obaseki, saying that “I think the model that the governor has tried to adopt, is to reduce the workforce to the barest minimum. but unfortunately, whatever savings he thinks he is making, is not seen in capital projects.

    “The only vote that has been recorded is his security votes which has increased by over 100% but yet, there is no serious investment in the security sector.

    “I want to make it clear that the civil service workforce is not overbloated. The problem is that the governor has not lifted a finger to develop the workforce; it will be suicidal to try him again. My simple agenda will be to properly utilise the Civil service.”

    On job creation, Obaseki said he had created about 150,000 jobs from the 200,000 he promised during his last four years tenure.

    Ize-Iyamu countered him again, saying “it is sad that the government of Obaseki falsifies figures. What the government calls jobs are appointments; those are not jobs. Every school we campaigned at had virtually no teachers. When you are talking about jobs, who did you give jobs to? We are doing badly.”

    He also accused Obaseki of collecting over N75 billion in debts, wondering what he did with the money.

    “My contestant has collected over N75 billion in debts. What did he do with them? All his promises remain unfulfilled despite the fact that he came in when there was high windfall in Edo.”

    On security, Ize-Iyamu attacked Obaseki, saying that “there have been increase in security votes, but there have been no investment in security. Our state is one of the few in the country with no advance in technology for fighting security. Our security vehicles cannot fight security.”

    He said he would invest in technology and trackers to fight criminals and cultism that had been on the rise in Edo State.

    “The personnel deployed to our state for combating insecurity will be complemented by an organised state police, but we must work with the federal government and every other stakeholder. Our people must feel safe at all times,” he said.

    But Obaseki countered Ize-Iyamu on security vote, saying that his “security vote is less than 5% of the total budget, but we have had to create a hybrid of sorts, in the form of PUWOV, working with federal authorities.”

    On kidnapping, Ize-Iyamu lamented that it had been very high in Edo, saying that “we are not showing enough concern. If I were governor, I would have acted on veritable intelligence and mobilised security agencies to flush out the forests around Benin-Auchi road.”

    But Obaseki said his administration had a software to track crime and monitor trends.

    “We have deployed this a couple of times, especially when kidnapping was rife in the Ore-Okada axis. We cleared both sides of the forest and collaborated with federal authorities to bring sanity,” he said.

    Obaseki stated this on Sunday during a debate which held in Benin City, six days to the commencement of the governorship poll where he is seeking re-election.

    “The challenge my opponent and brother has is his thinking about government. That thinking is changing globally and it has to change locally,” he said.

    Ize-Iyamu had criticised Obaseki over his administration’s efforts to privatise the health care sector, adding that the governor allegedly failed to replace teachers who have retired or died.

    But defending his approach to governance, Obaseki said the pattern of government has changed globally.

    The governor also reeled out his achievements in the last four years in the area of education, stressing that the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation earns N100 billion annually.

    “Edo BEST earns N100 billion per annum with five million people. It means that budget-wise, you can only spend a maximum of 20,000 per citizen. What is 20,000 per citizen?

    “So the thinking has to change such that the N100 billion you earn, you should be able to attract multiples of that into your economy so that there are more wealth and availability for your citizens.”

    At the event, the candidates came at each other with several allegations. The most heated attacks, however, bordered on their educational qualifications, and alleged participation in cultism.

    When in June Obaseki dumped the APC after his disqualification from participating in the primary that produced Ize-Iyamu as the flag-bearer of the party, there were claims that the governor was disqualified based on certain bordered on inconsistencies in his certificate.

    Reacting to these claims at the debate arena in Benin, the Edo State capital, the governor said, “it is very ironic that someone who has no certificate can stand up and comment on someone whose certificate was issued by the premier university in Nigeria. That is a very sad situation that we have found ourselves in as a country.

    “In 1976 when I gained admission into the University of Ibadan, there was no JAMB; you could either go into the university through prelim or through Direct Entry in your advanced level examination. I finished my O Level and my Advanced Level and it was As, so I gained admission into the University of Ibadan in 1976.

    “I don’t know what has happened but for the University of Ibadan, the standard is still very high and they have come out to say that I graduated from that university. How else do you want to make that clear?

    “It is very sad that in a country like Nigeria, some people who do not have the qualifications, have the effrontery to challenge the qualifications of those who went to proper schools. It is sad.”

    Similarly, Mr. Ize-Iyamu the APC candidate has been accused of partaking in some occultic activity that led to his expulsion while an undergraduate at the University of Benin, but the pastor described the allegation as a ploy to dent his character ahead of the polls.

    He said, “I graduated from the University of Benin. I was very active in the students’ union and my records are clear.

    “People have alleged that when you were in school, you did that but I think they should go to the university authorities and find out exactly what was the offence. If you do something very criminal, the university cannot even handle it. And I am proud that throughout my stay, I was not engaged in any criminal matter.”

    Reacting to the Obaseki certificate issue, Ize-Iyamu said no one doubts that Obaseki went to the university, adding that the issue is that the governor failed by his own records.

    “You failed school cert, you had three credits, no English, no Maths, even to enter A’ Level would have been difficult.

    “And if you got A-Level, why is it that you’ve not been able to present the A-Level, where is the result? That is a moral question. A lot of people are looking up to you as a governor and as a leader.

    “The question is that you failed your A-Level and that is why you were disqualified and your disqualification arose from information from the PDP, your party now, provided. Because the PDP, when I was contesting against you (in 2016) said you have no results. Why have you not answered the question? Where are your results?”

  • Edo 2020: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu must sign peace accord – INEC

    Edo 2020: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu must sign peace accord – INEC

    Apparently disturbed by the drumbeats of war echoing ahead of the Edo guber polls on September 19, the apex electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has insisted that Governor Godwin Obaseki and his rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu must sign a peace accord next week Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the apex body on Electoral matters made this declaration in a press briefing in Abuja ahead the guber polls.

    Chairman of INEC, Mahmoud Yakubu said the candidates participating in the September 19 governorship election in Edo State will sign a peace accord on Tuesday.

    Mahmood also said about 17,000 ad hoc staff would be recruited for the election, noting that the PTF guidelines and safety measured would be strictly obeyed as the commission was going to operate a no-facemask, no voting policy at the poll.

    Before now, the reverred Oba of Bini too had summoned both Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu to the palace where he cautioned both leaders and their followers to shun violence and embrace peace before and after the guber polls.

    Tension and fears of bloodshed had gripped Edolites who believe that the election may lead to turmoil if not quickly nipped in the bud.

  • Edo 2020: Another commissioner dumps Obaseki 10 days to election

    Edo 2020: Another commissioner dumps Obaseki 10 days to election

    …Becomes third commissioner to resign

    …says 90% of my supporters are APC members

    Edo State Commissioner for Minerals, Oil, and Gas, Joseph Ikpea, on Wednesday, resigned from the cabinet of Governor Godwin Obaseki barely over a week to the September 19 governorship election in the state.

    Ikpea’s resignation, which was contained in a letter dated September 9, 2020 and addressed to the governor, was with immediate effect.

    The letter partly read, “Politics is all about interest, trust, and respect for one another, but I have never seen any of this till date, and I am also not sure of it even if I remain there till tomorrow.

    “Moreover, the party that is known today as APC was brought to Esan South East by me and over 90 per cent of my supporters are APC members till date.

    “So, it is difficult for me to leave the house that I built. Considering also that this administration didn’t recognise my leadership role.”

    Recall that the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, resigned in June while state Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Omoua Oni-Okpaku, also resigned in July.

    The political climate in the state gets interesting as the September 19 poll approaches.

    Obaseki, who dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC), is seeking re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He has Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the candidate of the APC, as his major contender.

  • Edo 2020: PDP’s suit seeking Ize-Iyamu’s ineligibility stalled

    Edo 2020: PDP’s suit seeking Ize-Iyamu’s ineligibility stalled

    The slated hearing of a suit seeking to disqualify Osagie Ize-iyamu as the All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in the forthcoming September 19 election in Edo State was on Tuesday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The suit was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, which claimed that Ize-Iyamu was not genuinely nominated as the APC’s candidate.

    The PDP alleged that Ize-Iyamu did not emerge from a valid primary election.

    Ize-Iyamu, APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission are the respondents to the suit.

    However, at the mention of the case before Justice Ahmed Mohammed on Tuesday, PDP’s counsel, Mr Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), said he was ready for the hearing in the case until he was served a notice of preliminary objection by the APC, which he needed to respond to.

    INEC’s counsel, Mr Alhassan Umar (SAN), and Ize-Iyamu’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said they would also want to respond to the preliminary objection.

    The APC, in the notice of preliminary objection, required an order for striking out the suit.

    Among other grounds, the application was based on the claim that the suit cannot be heard during the court’s vacation period.

    The suit was initially filed at the Benin Division of the court but was later moved to the Abuja Division.

     

  • Edo 2020: Ize-Iyamu turns down Obaseki’s plea to debate with Shaibu on BBC

    Edo 2020: Ize-Iyamu turns down Obaseki’s plea to debate with Shaibu on BBC

    There was a mild drama on Friday evening during a virtual debate organised by BBC News Pidgin for candidates in the September 19 Edo State governorship election.

    The two top candidates, incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki (Peoples Democratic Party PDP) and Pastor Ize-Iyamu (All Progressives Congress, APC) were billed to feature in the debate.

    However, drama started when Governor Obaseki spoke briefly and begged to be excused to attend to other important issues.

    The governor then asked the moderator to allow his deputy, Philip Shaibu, to continue the debate in his stead.

    This development drew the ire of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who objected to the idea, insisting that he would not debate with Shaibu.

    Obaseki said, “First, I wan’ thank una say una invite me come this programme, make we debate among ourselves, make we fit talk wetin we wan do for the people of Edo State.

    “But make I first start by apologising. You see, as I dey now, I no dey Benin. I had to travel on emergency this evening come somewhere, and the meeting dey very important. But abi tell una, so my deputy dey on ground. E no get anything wey I dey do wey im no know.

    “So, I say out of respect, make I first do this opening round, I will rush go the meeting, and hopefully my deputy go continue.”

    Reacting, Ize-Iyamu said, “Abeg make I talk small for wetin Governor Obaseki talk. This debate na for governorship candidates, no be wetin den dey delegate. If he no go fit stay, he no go fit stay.

    “But say he wan’ comot make im deputy go come dey follow us debate, I no get hand for that one. If he no get ready, make im no say he no wan’ debate with us.

    “But if he wants to debate, he has to stay but me no go sit down with im deputy. If na deputy own, I go call my deputy make im come talk with im deputy. No be me and im deputy dey debate, na governorship debate.”

    Obaseki later left Ize-Iyamu and the other candidates to continue. His deputy, Shaibu, did not also feature but the governor came back after about an hour, towards the end of the debate.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu recently held a peace meeting at the Oba of Benin’s palace where both embraced and agreed to run a peaceful campaign henceforth.

  • Edo: Judge withdraws from suit seeking disqualification of Ize-Iyamu

    Hearing in the suit seeking the disqualification of the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, from the forthcoming election in Edo State has suffered a major setback Thursday following the withdrawal of Justice Taiwo Taiwo from further adjudicating on the matter.

    The judge has consequently announced his decision to return the case file to the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, for re-assignment to another judge of the court.

    The decision of the judge followed a petition filed by the APC asking the sitting judge, Justice Taiwo to recsue himself from the case on the basis of his close affinity with the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.

    In a petition to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, the party said it has no confidence of getting justice in his court.

    When the matter came up for hearing, Justice Taiwo announced his decision to hands off the trial and return the case file to the Chief Judge

    In the petition dated August 20 by the National Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, the party accused Justice Taiwo of moving faster in the hearing of suit against Ize-Iyamu by granting abridgment of time to plaintiffs in the matter when motion for same had not been moved.

    The APC alleged that from its findings, Justice Taiwo has a close relationship with Rivers State Governor Mr Nyesom Wike, the Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in the Edo gubernatorial poll.

    The party alleged further that Governor Wike had openly boosted that he would do everything humanly possible to ensure that PDP win the poll by influencing the disqualification of Ize-Iyamu through the court.