The frontline aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has dismissed claims that he is not a member of the party saying those disputing his membership of the party are only engaging in a fruitless exercise.

He was reacting to a statement credited to some persons who claimed to be Chairmen of the 18 LGAs of Edo state purportedly challenging his membership of the party on the grounds that it fell short of the party’s constitutional requirements.

In a statement signed by Mr John Mayaki, the Director of Communication and Media to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation said: “Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was one of those who not only formed the APC but drafted the constitution of the APC.

“It is quite unfortunate that many of these people don’t read; they have not sat down to even read the APC constitution.”

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“The APC apart from being a progressive party was deliberately formed to be a mass organisation and one of the things those who drafted the APC constitution (including Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu) did was to make it easy for Nigerians, irrespective of who they are, to be able to join the party like the APC without people like these renegades trying to put hurdles in their way – politics is a game of number. Ideally, you would want to welcome people to your party.”

“If you look at the constitution of the APC, article 9, you will find out that, unknown to them, you can go to your ward and register or you can even do online registration – the essence of this is to ensure that nobody is deprived.”

“When Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu among others were putting the party together, the Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki was not there and nowhere to be found; so how do you expect a man who should be a beneficiary of a house that he helped to build be stopped from gaining access into the house?

“However, knowing the rules, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu went to his ward chairman, Mr Ogbebor in Ugboko ward in Orhiomwon to say himself among his teaming followers were coming back home, and he was given the party card.

The party chairman brought him a party card and the day he was declaring, he raised up his card and said ‘gentlemen, what I am doing is just a mere ceremony’ but the truth about it is that he has actually gone to his ward to register, he openly tendered his party card and they were shocked.”

“What these people don’t understand is that in the APC constitution, there is even an alternative – the online option and so, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu applied – nobody can quarrel with the online registration; he has the slip, the registration number, his name is on the portal of the party.

“Again, unknown to these renegades, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu does not really need to rely on that card because, with his online registration, nobody can challenge his membership of the party.

“What they are doing is an exercise in futility.”

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed why President Muhammadu Buhari loves and trusts Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation like his son.

ABN TV reports that El-Rufai said Buhari loves Amaechi despite opposition due to his great personality and selflessness to the service of Nigeria.

He disclosed that Buhari’s love for Amaechi was the reason he was picked as the Director-General of the presidential campaign twice.

The governor stated this in his birthday message to Amaechi and was contained in a statement signed by the Ministry of Transportation, NAN reports.

He described the former Rivers State governor as the First Minister in Nigeria’s history to hold the position of the Minister of Transportation twice.

El-Rufai insisted that Amaechi has achieved so much within the period due to his unique qualities of inclusiveness.

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He said: “President Buhari loves Amaechi like a son, he trusts him absolutely, which is why in spite of all opposition, many attempts to put Amaechi in a bad light, he twice selected him to lead his campaign and also as the Minister of Transportation.”

El-Rufai stressed that Amaechi is a pan-Niger Deltan who loves teamwork and empowers people to do their best.

He added: “Amaechi’s key leadership quality is his sense of inclusion, he likes to bring everyone on board, he loves teamwork, he empowers people to put in their best, he doesn’t pretend to know it all or try to do everything.

“He is one of the few politicians from the Niger Delta that is Pan Nigeria.

“I think in the history of Nigeria there hasn’t been any Minister of Transportation that has been able to achieve the landmark Amaechi has achieved in very difficult circumstances.

“I am very proud of you, am very proud to be associated with you, I am a beneficiary of your friendship, your love and your generosity.

“You have helped me a lot in my campaign, you have raised money for me, you have given me ideas on how to be a better politician and I have learnt a lot from you.

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“I am confident that if and when Nigeria is looking for a leader that will take us to a higher level, you will be up there on the frontline among those that will be counted,” El-Rufai said.

Recall that Buhari had felicitated with Amaechi on his 55th birthday.

The president had commended Amaechi for his result-oriented leadership style.

According to Buhari, the former governor’s leadership style has positively reflected on the people.