Less than 24 hours before the governorship election, the governorship candidate of the Accord Party (AP), Kennedy Iyere has withdrawn from the race and the party immediately announced Dr. Bright Enabulele as the new candidate of the party.
The leadership of the party said it was not perturbed by the sudden withdrawal of Iyere and noted that Enabulele was capable of winning the governorship election.
Iyere in a viral news report said his decision was influenced by internal party conflicts, including an alleged conspiracy involving Enabulele, to overturn his candidacy.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, the Edo State Chairman of the party, Hon. Joseph Omoregbe, flanked by the candidate, Dr. Bright Enabulele and other members of the party said his withdrawal showed that “Iyere had no intention to contest the governorship election right from the onset.
The party noted, “The leadership of Accord Party both at the National and State levels wish to draw the attention of the members of our great party Accord our teeming supporters and the good people of Edo State to the withdrawal of Mr Kennedy Iyere who until a few hours ago was flag bearer of Accord in the Edo 2024 gubernatorial election which holds this Saturday, September 21, 2024.
“His withdrawal is not a surprise to the party as it had become clear that he had no intention to contest as it became evident after the Party primaries which brought him in on February 17“, 2024 as the Party’s Candidate with Dr. Bright Enabulele as his running mate.
“It would be observed by the general public that Iyere has not printed or pasted a single poster or engaged in any campaign activities since his emergence as the Party’s Candidate.
Furthermore he alleged that Iyere’s mission was to trade with the name of the Party and make some money for himself, a situation which pitched him against the party “It should be on record that his withdrawal was voluntary, though he claims he wants to serve at a national level.
“We hereby assure our good people of Edo State that Accord is still very much in the race as the running mate, Dr. Bright Enabulele who is in fact more capable than Kennedy Iyere steps up as the candidate automatically.
“Iyere had planned to ride on the back of Dr. Enabulele who is more financially capable for the race, but when he discovered that this was not going to work, he had to withdraw.
“We hereby encourage all our faithful members and supporters across the state to go out tomorrow and exercise their voting right and power”.