By John Mayaki
A fact that is true with political actors across the world is that they
divide opinions. For people who pursue their own convictions on a public
lectern, who submit themselves to a barrage of opinions and scrutiny,
they draw passionate reactions from the masses, some positive, others
negative.
By settling on an agenda, pursuing it boldly and convincing others to
join their course, those who see room for improvement within the agenda
will offer praises, others who perceive damage – either for justifiable
reasons or not – will say otherwise and virulently trying to put the man
and his agenda down. It is the way of politics.
But that is not to say that every criticism is driven by malice, lest we
provide a comfortable cover for the incompetent politicians whose poor
plans or maladministration have done real harm and deservedly get
widespread criticism, rejection, and dismissal. Or deny noble people
their due praise and commendation by chalking it all up to bias or
emotional quip.
For a man like Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu whose history, old and recent,
has been subjected to another round of scrutiny with his declaration of
interest in the governorship position of Edo State under the umbrella of
the All Progressives Congress, a party he helped form, it is important,
and for the benefit of the Edo people, that his true character is
ascertained and his records are analyzed without the coloration of
hatred and envy from those who are understandably terrified by his stout
stature and the threat he poses to their fruitless dalliance with power.
In the court of these ones, there is no victory. And their jaundiced
judgement, passed without any evaluation of the facts, is what they are
trying to ram down the people’s throats through devious propaganda
tactics and mischievous media campaigns.
To know who Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is and what his antecedents are, we
must call on distinguished characters like Dr. Ehiogie West Idahosa and
Dr. Ofunre Eboreime who have the merit of witnessing the beginning of
Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s involvement at the beginning, and a lived life of
integrity and substance that give weight to their words.
“Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu is an uncommon political actor. Indeed, he is a
super, but selfless manager of men,” Dr. Ehiogie West Idahosa said.
“Since 1979, that he became known to some of us, he delights in putting
social and political organizations together for the good of society.
From our Edo College days till date, I can’t think of a better political
organizer of his generation. Many have reaped the fruits of his
political skills.”
“Surprisingly, this is his second attempt to contest an election in his
political career. The first was in 2016 when he ran against Obaseki for
the post of Governor of Edo State. Many believe that he won that
election, but lost it to very serious election manipulation visible to
the blind.”
“This second attempt by Ize-Iyamu to run for the same post is more in
response to a big call from the political class to offer an opportunity
to an accomplished home grown politician to show the organizational
wizardry in him in respect of policy conception, actualization, review,
sensible redistribution of wealth, management of men and materials,
preservation of culture and the renaissance of Edo political
helmsmanship in preparation for a solid return to national relevance.”
On his part, Dr. Ofunre Eboreime who is quick to offer the clarification
of not being a politician or a man subscribed to the bifurcate politics
many take part in where views are streamlined and informed by who is “on
our side” and who is not, he describes Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu as a man
that “enjoys a great, unassailable pedigree.”
“He is kind, humane, humble, and willing to assist anybody no matter his
or her background or political leanings. A grass root mobilizer and
strategist. I do not have any hidden agenda but think it’s my duty to
express my views too.”
Dr. Ofunre speaks of duty because he knows what is at stake. Edo people
are at an important crossroads of history, about to make a decision that
would impact the fate of the state in many years to come.
And so, in the incumbent, they have a man without achievement,
campaigning by soiling the image of others, misrepresenting events, and
telling bold-faced lies – to let him get away with it is to sit back and
do nothing.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has refused to allow this and everyone –
politician or not, who seek the progress of the state must join him. It
is not in Ize-Iyamu’s character to succumb to an incompetent bully. That
is not who he is. It is in his character to push back against great odds
in defense of what is right and will profit the people – that is who he
is.