Ize-Iyamu Group set to dump Edo APC for PDP

By Charles Igbinidu

The  struggle for supremacy in Edo State branch of the All Progressive Congress (APC) may soon snowball into a split as the Group loyal to the former National Vice Chairman, South-South of the ACN and now a chieftain of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is set to dump the Party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) It would be recalled that the Ize-Iyamu group made up mainly of the supporters of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion played a pivotal role in helping Governor Adams Oshiomhole to neutralize Chief Tony Anenih in Edo State.
The Ize-Iyamu group was previously members of PDP who left for ACN as a result of the perceived overbearing influence of Chief Anenih in PDP.
ionigeria.com can authoritatively report that in furtherance of the goal of returning to PDP, Pastor Ize-Iyamu led some members of his Group including members of the State House of Assembly and some legislators at the national level to meet with PDP at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. At the meeting, the Group pledged their loyalty and support to President Goodluck Jonathan and assured him of their backing in 2015.
The crisis in the Edo branch of APC is closely linked to the politics of who should succeed Oshiomhole as governor when his tenure expires. While Pastor Ize-Iyamu wants to be the next governor of the State, Oshiomhole’s body language seems to be in favour of his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu.
Ionigeria.com investigations revealed that the Presidential Villa meeting was preceded by a series of meetings between Ize-Iyamu and the leaders of PDP in Benin City. The PDP, it was further gathered is working very hard to bring back most of its former members in the State who are now in APC. The arrow heads of the PDP rapprochement in Edo South Senatorial Zone include Senator Roland Owie, Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia, and Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.
To achieve their goal, Chief Tony Anenih was told to stay away from the politics of Edo South and focus on Edo Central and Edo North.
Preparation for the movement of Ize-Iyamu and his group to PDP is expected to be concluded before the planned rally of the Party in May. President Jonathan is also expected at the rally.
Meanwhile, Governor Oshiomhole is said not to have given up completely. He is still making efforts to meet with the group but Pastor Ize-Iyamu seems to have irrevocably made up his mind.