I won’t drop my ambition – Ize-Iyamu tells supporters

• The report purportedly pruned the number of aspirants to six, two from each senatorial zone

Despite the report of an internal committee headed by the House of Representatives Majority Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere that did not include him in its final report, an All Progressives Congress, APC governorship aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Saturday said he would go ahead to contest the primary election saying the purported report was a mere rumour.

The report purportedly pruned the number of aspirants to six, two from each senatorial zone.

Arriving the Benin airport to a mammoth crowd of supporters and some party leaders of the APC, Ize-Iyamu dismissed the report just as he said that the National Working Committee , NWC has given clear directives that all aspirants for the governorship race are free to purchase nomination forms.

He also described his relationship with Senator Adams Oshiomhole as cordial and a senior brother whom he said he holds in high esteem.

He said, “I want to assure you that I am in the race and by next week by the grace of God I will collect the form. Any Edo person is worthy of the ticket and I’m not a stranger. I want to assure you that your support will not be in vain and there is nothing to worry about.

“When you are contesting for an election there are bound to be intrigues and all kinds of rumours and stories. The highest organ of our party issued a statement by the publicity secretary and particularly to Edo Governorship election and specifically said that all those who have aspiration to run for governorship should go and collect the forms.

“And that they are the only one to set up a screening committee which they will do at the appropriate time and if you look at the earlier time table released you will find the schedule there. Let me announce that by next week I will collect the form.

“I know there were rumor that some people have been excluded but by that NWC release, that is not possible anymore. The only people that can exclude aspirants is the committee set up by the NWC. I want to assure you that I will contest and win the election.”

On his relationship with the National leader of the party and former governor of the state, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, he said, “my relationship is cordial. He is my senior brother and I respect age. We have worked together for many years. He is the leader of our party and a distinguished senator.”