APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomole

The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday announced the expulsion of its candidate in the last gubernatorial election in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu from the party with immediate effect.

A statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare said Ize-Iyamu who had been reported to be making moves to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains excluded from the party’s activities until he clears the air concerning his planned defection.

”In the last few days, the Edo PDP has been inundated with calls and enquiries regarding the stories trending both in the print and social media as it concerns one of our leaders, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

“As a result of the ‘uneasy quiet’ from our dear pastor and the impression our silence will send to our teeming supporters and followers, the Edo PDP is left with no option but to announce the exclusion of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu from all the PDP-related activities with immediate effect until he acknowledges, accepts and addresses the issue of his defection to the APC,” the statement partly read.

In a related development, a faction in the Edo State Chapter of APC has also announced the suspension of the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole after a vote of no confidence was passed on him.

The decision was reached following an emergency meeting of party leaders in the state which was summoned by Governor Godwin Obaseki shortly after news broke that the state chairman of the party, Anselm Ojezua had been sacked by a faction of the party loyal to Oshiomhole.

A message which emerged from the Government House in Benin City after the meeting also announced the removal of the State Secretary of the party, Lawrence Okah.

Earlier on Tuesday, the State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC had passed a vote of no confidence on Ojezua. Eleven out of the 16-member SWC voted against Ojezua during their meeting.

 Consequently, Col. David Imoise (rtd.) was elected to oversee the affairs of the party pending when investigations into the allegations of anti-party activities levelled against Ojezua would be concluded.