Edo State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; ex-National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to admit the lies they spread during the last governorship election.
Also asked to come clean in that direction, is former factional State Chairman of the party, Col. David Imuse (rtd), “just as the spokesperson of the APC’s campaign council, John Mayaki has done.”
Mayaki recently admitted and apologized to Governor Godwin Obaseki; former Edo APC State Chairman, Barr. Anselm Ojezua and Resident Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini for inaccurate and misleading statements he made during the last gubernatorial election in the state.
“The apology by Mayaki is an open admission of the obvious fact that APC ran its campaign on fake news, lies, alternative truth and other variants of fabrication to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public to buy into their ominous quest to mortgage the collective patrimony of Edo people.
“These lies and fabrications they have carried over to the law courts to also hoodwink the honourable courts and gain unmerited public sympathy.
“Since Mayaki has owned up to the antics of the APC during the governorship election, it is only proper for his paymasters, including Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu, Imuse and others, to take responsibility for prodding Mayaki and his ilk to take on such ignominious role of advancing the interest of APC through such schemes,” the PDP said in a statement signed by its Edo State Publicity, Chris Osa Nehikhare on Sunday.
The PDP Image Maker further said: After a careful appraisal of the apology by the spokesperson of the APC campaign council in the last governorship election, John Mayaki, to Governor Godwin Obaseki; former Edo APC State Chairman, Barr. Anselm Ojezua and Resident Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, it is manifestly apparent that fabrication and outright lies were the fuel of the communication campaign of the APC in the last election in the absence of a coherent and viable message for Edo people given their unabashed quest for power.
Upon chancing on the statement, I drew the attention of the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who was the target of attacks by the APC in the election, to the statement and its submissions. The Governor in his usual good nature as a person who does not bear grudges against people, accepted the apology and said he has forgiven John Mayaki.
Though the Governor has taken his stand on the matter, Edo people who are lovers of truth and honour, demand that the puppet masters behind Mayaki and his ilk admit to the fact that they had in that election elected to take Edo people for a ride in trying to hoodwink them with fables and fabrications to advance their personal and collective interest.
With the admission of Mayaki, it is obvious that Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu, Imuse and others are hiding behind a needle if they still claim that they weren’t actively invested in spinning and propagating fake news against the Governor and the state government to boost their chances in the election.
So, I hereby specifically call on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Col David Imuse (rtd) and all their hirlings to show respect to Edo people, toe the path of honour and have the decency of admitting to the fact that they spread lies and concocted fake stories to sell their mandate. It is the most honourable thing to do; it is the most noble step to take.
That Mayaki has owned up to the tactic and ignoble schemes of the APC and their candidate does not absolve all others of the defilement of the public space that was their stock in trade during the elections. Each and every one of them must own up to their role, tender well-intentioned apologies and commit to be of good character.
In the spirit of the season, the leadership of Edo APC should seek penance so they may be given absolution.
