The battle for the Edo state government house is majorly between Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP and Godwin Obaseki of the APC
The traditional ruler of Uromi, a town in the state, has revealed what transpired between him and Ize-Iyamu when the latter came visitng
He declared before Obaseki that he does not trust Ize-Iyamu or the PDP because of the party’s many unfulfilled promises to Esan land
A major traditional ruler in Edo state has revealed how Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming election in the state, as well as Chief Tony Anenih, bribed him and his colleagues with N6 million for support.
Tony Anenih, a son of Uromi, was chairman of the PDP board of trustees, but the traditional ruler said he does not trust him and the Ize-Iyamu.
His Royal Highness, Anslem Okojie, Onojie of Uromi made the revelation to Godwin Obaseki, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election, whom he described as a friend.
Ironically, however, the monarch blessed Obaseki, at a time the latter lost over 700 loyalists to the PDP in Ovia North East local government area of Edo.
The Nation reports that while receiving Obaseki and his running mate, Hon Philip Shaibu, at his palace, the monarch who said politics is not about sentiment but development, narrated what transpired between him and the PDP.
“I do not trust Pastor Ize-Iyamu enough to become a governor. My People want Godwin Obaseki.
“I have been on this thrown for twenty five years and I am ready to say the truth always. Ize-Iyamu spoke to me and said he wanted to meet with traditional rulers in Esanland.
“When he came to my palace; we were 29 in number and he gave us N3 million.
“We have what we call a caucus in Esanland and I am the chairman of the caucus. Out of the N3 million, we declared N2.5 million and N500,000 was for members of the caucus. That is past.
“Again PDP said they will come to flag off in Uromi, I said, yes no problem. Before that time Onojie of Ewu called me to say PDP is bringing N3 million for us that it will not be enough.
“Also, the Onojie of Opoji called me to say the N3 million will not be enough and I ask what should we do?
“He said, we should tell pastor to make it N10 million or we would tell the Comrade governor to give us N10 million.
“Now I called Ize-Iyamu to say I heard you are bringing N3 million for traditional rulers in Esan land, that is small, you have to do something better than that because when you were coming before the primaries you brought N3 million now you are a candidate, you can’t bring N3 million, you have to do something better.
“So when they came Chief Anenih brought N3 million, Ize-Iyamu brought N3 million making it N6 million that was what was brought to me in this palace.
“They have been begging me not to play the tape to you but I said I will let you know about this because you are my friend and a good man who has done so much for Uromi people.
“Nobody controls me even Chief Tony Anenih doesn’t control me, I tell him what to do because I am the owner of Uromi kingdom,” he narrated while noting that the PDP did not fulfill many of its promises to the people of Esan land.
In his speech, Obaseki assured the traditional ruler and Uromi people that he will build upon the good work already started by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
Another traditional ruler, Ehidiamen Aidonojie, the Onojie of Opoji and vice chairman of the Edo state council of traditional rulers and chiefs, had recently accused Chief Tony Anenih of plotting to assassinate him over their political differences.
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