Hon. Paddy Emmanuel Iyamu, a former Edo state Commissioner for Education, has announced his intention to contest the Oredo Federal House of Representatives seat under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Iyamu, who claimed to have been involved in the APC since 2016, highlighted his role in successive elections, particularly his support for Senator Monday Okpebholo. He stated that he worked tirelessly to mobilise voters and ensure victory for the party in Oredo.
The declaration attracted a large turnout of party faithful and stakeholders. Iyamu dismissed claims that he was not a grassroots politician, insisting that his contributions to the growth of the party over the years speak for themselves.
Iyamu noted that he has been involved in women empowerment in Oredo, starting in 2019. He claimed that his efforts have yielded visible results, particularly in Ward 10, where he introduced monthly programmes.
Iyamu described allegations that he lacks ward-level acceptance as false and politically motivated. He maintained that his political journey has been defined by loyalty and service.
The APC's internal dynamics are once again on display, with Hon. Paddy Emmanuel Iyamu throwing his hat into the ring for the Oredo Federal House of Representatives seat. While Iyamu's claims of grassroots connections may be disputed, his relationship with the state leadership of the party remains cordial. The real test will be how the party's stakeholders respond to his candidacy. For everyday Nigerians, this means that the APC's internal squabbles will continue to play out in the run-up to the elections. The impact on the party's chances of winning the seat remains to be seen.
