The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has vowed to probe the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole if elected.
The PDP candidate also urged Oshiomhole to investigate the eight years he (Ize-Iyamu) spent in office as Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government.
Ize-Iyamu stated this during his campaign in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of the state on Friday evening. He said, “I call on Adams Oshiomhole to probe my time in government and look at everything that I did. Let him do it because by the grace of God, when I am governor, I will probe him; every kobo that has come to Edo State must be accounted for. That is his fear; that is why he can no longer sleep.”
Governor Oshiomhole had, during the governorship poll campaign of the All Progressives Congress’ candidate, Godwin Obaseki, in Edo South on Friday, criticised Ize-Iyamu and a former PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Tony Anenih, for their alleged role in under-developing the state.
The governor had also alleged that the PDP governorship candidate was desperate to become governor in order to avoid prosecution.
But Ize-Iyamu said, “Adams Oshiomhole believes that the more he attacks (us), the more he can hide the truth. Only recently in a Catholic Church, he met Chief Anenih and apologised to him on the altar; days after, he was abusing Chief Anenih.”
The former SSG added, “He says Pastor Ize-Iyamu is bad; Ize-Iyamu is useless. When he appointed Ize-Iyamu DG (Director-General) of his campaign, he did not know about these then. When he made him national vice chairman of his party, he did not know then. Now that Ize-Iyamu has left him, Ize-Iyamu is suddenly bad.”
Meanwhile, Oshiomhole has described as laughable Ize-Iyamu’s threat to probe him, during the campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, in Fugar.
The governor stated that the former Ize-Iyamu would “go to jail” for alleged misappropriation of government’s fund before he (Oshiomhole) could be probed.
Oshiomhole said, “Ize-Iyamu will first of all vomit the N1.2 billion he shared with Dan Orbih which is money meant for defence that he collected from a bank. After that, he will go to jail before he can probe me. Ize-Iyamu, Orbih and their fathers have confessed that they collected money to share during the (2015) elections.
“They go to Port Harcourt every day to visit EFCC. Dan Orbih was taken from Port Harcourt to Benin with a Black Maria where his house was searched. Today, they are living in fear. But they must return the money. They must be prosecuted like (Olisa) Metuh and others because that was how they stole in Edo for 10 years.”
The governor also vowed to publish records of the alleged looting by the PDP and its candidate.
Oshiomhole stated, “That money they shared was meant for defence and roads. For 10 years they ruined the state but in seven and half years we have worked. Who was the chief of staff to PDP government that under-developed Edo state? (It was) Ize-Iyamu. Who was the SSG (Secretary to the State Government) and PA (Personal Assistant) to (Lucky) Igbinedion? (It was) Ize-Iyamu. This guy was the cook in the kitchen. While the people were waiting at the dining, both the pot and the soup disappeared.”
PUNCH NG
