Edo Guber: Labour Party candidate attacks APC over choice of Ize-Iyamu
Governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the forthcoming election in Edo State, Dr. Isaiah Osifo, yesterday, expressed dissatisfaction over the choice of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over alleged N700m EFCC fraud case hanging on him.
It will be recalled that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the governorship candidate of the APC and four others are currently standing trial at the Federal High Court, Benin over an alleged N700m fraud case instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The four other defendants in the suit are former Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), chairman Dan Orbih, state PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, former Deputy Governor Lucky Imasuen, and Efe Anthony.
He expressed his feelings while speaking on what he tagged “APC taking Edo State voters for granted” in Benin.
Dr. Osifo said it was a show of shame for the party that prides itself as the one fighting corruption to have fielded a candidate who is currently standing criminal trial in court over money laundering to the tune of N700m.
“We think this is an insult on the anti-corruption policy of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Buhari.
“Behavioural science is committed to two aspects of any individual or organisational behaviour. The “Act” and the “intent”.
“What should be the intention of APC, the ruling political party in Nigeria that is loud on its anti-corruption crusade in choosing a candidate that is undergoing criminal trials on money laundering?” He asked.
Osifo said for the fact that the governorship candidate of the APC is standing trial at the moment, it’s proper for him to have stepped down and jettison his decision to contest pending his vindication in court.
“The rules in all responsible public service, including the rules in Nigeria public service requires a public servant undergoing criminal inquiry to step aside until the final resolution of the matter,” he said.
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He said he decided to challenge the choice of the APC’s governorship candidate because it is their party’s (LP) responsibility as a responsible one at that to enlighten and educate the public on the need to halt desperate people who have nothing to offer order than blind pursuit of personal aggrandisement.
