, in Edo State has expelled its former governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.){kind=link}
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo State has expelled its former governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The party said the decision was taken after Ize-Iyamu declined to confirm or refute his rumoured defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Rumours had been rife in the media on Tuesday, November 12, that the former PDP stalwart was on his way to the APC.
The PDP in a statement by is spokesman in the state, Chris Nehikhare, stated that the expulsion will remain until Ize-Iyamu “acknowledges, accepts, and addresses the issue of his decamping to APC.”
Part of the statement read: “In the last few days, the Edo PDP has been inundated with calls and enquiries regarding the stories trending both in print and social media as it concerns one of our leaders, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
“The party leadership has patiently waited to hear or read his reaction to confirm or deny the stories, but to no avail.
“We boast of being a party of men and women of integrity and high moral standing. It is a brand we have earned and wish to maintain.
“As a result of the “uneasy quiet” from our dear pastor and the impression our silence will send to our teeming supporters and followers, Edo PDP is left with no option but to announce the exclusion of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu from all PDP related activities with immediate effect.”
The party noted that its decision was taken without prejudice.