By Prof Ikhimwin Osagiede
What could have passed as a general statement by Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, has been unnecessarily amplified by the handlers and supporters of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu—a former governorship aspirant who is now jostling for the APC ticket to contest the forthcoming Edo South Senatorial seat.
What has happened in the process is a complete strategic miscalculation that confirms the fear that the pulpit-turned-political evangelist is incapable of restraining himself, especially when his interests are threatened.
I watched the TVC interview in which the hardworking, result-oriented party chairman stressed the need to deliver the 3.5 million votes Governor Monday Okpebholo had earlier promised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He merely cautioned against fielding individuals who are serial losers in elections.
I have replayed the video several times in search of any justification for Ize-Iyamu’s outburst, but to no avail.
For the record, I transcribed the following from the now-famous Tenebe’s TVC interview: “The only snag we can have is the kind of people we field in other elections; that’s why we are very careful.
“We cannot field any serial losers in any of the elections within the state. That is why we are very careful about the kind of people we are going to field.
“Because if you field someone who has been losing elections—maybe for senator or otherwise—the person will continue to lose.
“So we are going to be very careful with the people we field.
“That’s the reason why, in Edo State as I speak, the only people that have been endorsed are the President and Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole. Because Oshiomhole is somebody who wins elections.
“Oshiomhole is a brand within Edo North Senatorial District, so when you field him, you know the number of votes you are going to get.
“Seeing the collapse of other political parties into APC in the state, we are very convinced that 3.5 million votes is a task that must be achieved.”
Wherefore did Ize-Iyamu assume the label of “serial loser” for himself?
One supporter described Tenebe’s comment as “disparaging salvos on Ize-Iyamu,” while another praised the Redeemed Christian Church of God pastor for his role in the emergence of Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor of Edo State.
The commentator added that Jarrett Tenebe could not have become Edo State APC chairman without the support of Osagie Ize-Iyamu:
“It is therefore surprising that this same Jarrett would unwittingly refer to his ‘benefactor’ in such a disloyal manner—just like the Rivers man (FCT Minister Wike), who is the unseen hand pushing Tenebe.”
Another aide wrote: “It is obvious that a certain PDP politician from Rivers State who now lives in Abuja—a meddlesome interloper, a rabble-rouser, a lowly character who thinks very highly of himself—has promised one of the senatorial aspirants the seat as compensation for obeying him by stepping down for Obaseki when Obaseki sought entry into the PDP in Port Harcourt.”
He further accused “the interloper in Abuja of infiltrating the APC leadership in Edo State,” referring to some party figures as “lowly politicians.”
But is it right for Ize-Iyamu and his supporters to take up arms against a sea of imagined troubles when, in fact, Tenebe did not mention his name?
In the course of writing this report, a few insiders volunteered confidential information suggesting that Governor Okpebholo may not be pleased with Ize-Iyamu due to his failure to honour an agreement to step down during the primaries.
I also gathered authoritatively that Tenebe called Ize-Iyamu at about 2 a.m. few days to the primary that produced Okpebholo as the APC candidate. He reportedly advised him to save himself the impending embarrassment, as the President and party had already decided settled for Okpebholo to pick the party’s ticket.
Thereafter, Ize-Iyamu pleaded with Tenebe to persuade Senator Okpebholo to call him for discussions—according to him, to gain some respect.
Tenebe obliged and facilitated the call while Okpebholo was driving—I was told they spoke on speakerphone in the presence of Tenebe and Sylvester Aigboboh. Okpebholo provided funds for the never-to-be stepping down party.
Alas, rather than step down, Ize-Iyamu later announced that he was “suspending” his campaign.
Okpebholo, it is learnt, felt disappointed by what he perceived as a breach of trust.
Fast forward to 18 months into Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration, Ize-Iyamu has been rewarded far beyond what he contributed to the APC’s victory—judging by reports that he lost his unit, ward, and local government area in the election.
Within this period, Okpebholo has reportedly awarded a ₦2 billion road contract in Orhionmwon to Ize-Iyamu (a project yet to commence) and facilitated ₦2.5 billion to Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), to improve facilities in the federal institution.
Yet, our pastor appears insatiable—even after Governor Okpebholo reportedly advised him to jettison his senatorial ambition for the sake of unity in Edo South.
Speaking candidly, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe did not mince words: the APC will not consider aspirants with a consistent history of losing elections.
Judging from past records, can any serious political party risk its chances on a candidate who has never won his unit or ward in elections he has contested?
The answer is categorically NO.
Ize-Iyamu’s competence and capacity must be measured by concrete, visible impact on the grassroots—not by the volume of his political network.
He should be assessed by the depth of his contributions, starting from Iguododo and extending to those who have followed him through thick and thin.
Are the roads leading to Iguododo and other communities in Orhionmwon motorable?
Abudu, once a vibrant town, remains disconnected from the national electricity grid and lacks a single commercial bank.
Yet, Ize-Iyamu has used these very setbacks as campaign rhetoric during his recent engagement with Edo South leaders.
Disingenuously, he has attempted to blame Governor Okpebholo for the underdevelopment of Orhionmwon—despite having held several influential positions over the past 25 years, including Chief of Staff, Secretary to the State Government, South-South APC Vice Chairman, and Director-General of a major campaign.
Furthermore, the substance of Ize-Iyamu’s advocacy must be interrogated. The narrative of Edo South marginalisation appears to be a recurring tool deployed to advance narrow political interests.
Where is the evidence that his voice has attracted even a single industry, improved healthcare facility, or agricultural processing plant to alleviate the burden on rural women in Orhionmwon?
The opinion expressed in this article is entirely that of the author and does not in any way reflect the opinion of Newscurve24.com