I did not appeal to Obaseki to return to APC – Ize-Iyamu

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in last Saturday’s Edo Governorship Election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has stated that the trending video of him asking Governor Godwin Obaseki to return to APC after his victory in the gubernatorial election is from three months ago as it was doctored by Obaseki’s media handlers.

According to a statement by Director of Communication and Media of the Osagie Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation, Mr John Mayaki, the video was recorded in June when Obaseki dumped APC for PDP.

Read the statement below:

“The media has once again lent itself to the fabrications of Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP, as they did throughout the election.

“We warned several times that the media should beware of fabrications from Obaseki and the PDP camp, but they did not listen. That is why they have reported that the election was free and fair, and that is why they have said our candidate appealed to Obaseki to come back to APC. The video in reference is from three months ago, not after the election but doctored by Governor Obaseki media handlers to seek undue legitimacy

“Pastor Ize-Iyamu was reported in the stories as speaking from Abuja, but it was the Benin reporters that covered the story. Were the reporters transported to Abuja? Do these media agencies actually believe the stories they carry? Obaseki and the PDP has a way of leaking false news to the media and the media has to be sensitive and professional in receiving these news.

“I only wish the media had been more professional during the elections; they were not and what is done is done. They don’t know how violent and anti-democratic it was in several parts of Edo State, including Egor in Benin City, and so they reported that the elections were free and fair. At least, going forward, let them verify all news before passing it on. It is the basic ethic of the profession.”