The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the just-concluded Edo state governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu has said he will not be challenging the election that returned governor Godwin Obaseki of the PDP as Edo state governor.
He disclosed this in a statement he personally signed in Benin the Edo state capital where he also thanked the people of the state for the support he was given during the cause of the electioneering campaign and the election itself.
He said contrary to wide held belief about the free and fair conduct of the election, he has evidence of widespread irregularities, voter intimidation, suppression, and takeover of the process by hoodlums.
He said despite all the identified irregularities, he will not be taking up the option of challenging the election at the election petition tribunal but will continue with the two pre-election cases against the PDP and Governor Godwin Obaseki just as it has continued with 13 pre-election cases against him.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress-led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state, the people of Edo state, the traditional institution led by the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, Otaru of Auchi, Attahiru Momoh for the support and prayers for a successful and relatively violence-free election.
He also commiserated with the family of the two people who were according to him killed during the course of the electioneering campaign and the election itself.
He specially thanked his many supporters for their steadfast support and a tremendous show of love and likewise urged them to remain calm while keeping the faith alive for a better Edo State which they will all be proud of.
He, however, declared his unshakeable confidence in the cause to uplift Edo state using the democratic system, he urged all residents and citizens of the state to continue to believe in the electoral process as an important part of the democratic system, as it remains the best method of choosing who leads the people, devoid of violence and avoidable acrimony
