Nigeria’s electoral system has become predictable, says Ize-Iyamu

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2016 Edo State gubernatorial election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has said Nigeria’s electoral system has become predictable, insisting that he has not reached a decision to contest the 2020 poll.

His words: “Because our electoral system has become so predictable, people easily predict and tell who will win the election even before the contest. Nobody takes a careful look at the candidate. Nobody cares about what is in the manifesto and whether campaigns are issues-based or not.

“Nigerians should see politics as a mission field that requires people of godly minds, integrity and not rascals and those with questionable character. Men of credibility and high integrity should come out and contest political offices to salvage the nation from its worrisome state.”

On his future political move, Ize-Iyamu said the event in the nation’s political landscape informed his decision not to rush into the 2020 contest, adding that he was still seeking God’s face on his next direction in the forthcoming Edo 2020 gubernatorial polls.

Speaking with The Guardian in Benin City yesterday, the PDP Chieftain said he had no plans to quit PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC) as it is being insinuated in some quarters.

“If you ask me my political direction, I leave it in the hands of God. I am not desperate for power. But at the same time, everything I do, I try to always allow God to guide me. In my political career as well, I have also ensured that I put the interest of my people first.

“Today, I am full with PDP. I am praying and hoping that things will get better, but the truth is that I don’t see myself leaving where I am right now. However, the future is very dynamic and nobody can say for certain how things will go.

“It is only a fool that will say until I die, I will never move from this place. Sometimes, adversity opens one’s eyes to options and opportunities. My prayer is that our politics would develop to the level where we can have political parties built on ideological lines and transparent electoral system,” he stated.

Speaking further, he said: “Yes, politics in Nigeria is very rough, but we cannot leave it the way it is now. To leave it is to handover our government to wicked men and people who do not fear God.

“It means that anytime they like, they can seize our houses or our wives and nothing will happen but if we want to change to happen in this country, we need to encourage decent men and women to join politics.”