Comrade Kennedy Iyere, the Accord Party’s candidate for governor of Edo State, has officially withdrawn from the gubernatorial race.
This significant decision comes just hours before the scheduled election, leaving many surprised. Iyere has stated that his decision to step down stems from a deep concern for the broader social and economic challenges facing Nigeria, particularly the escalating food insecurity and the worsening economic conditions that are affecting many Nigerians.
Throughout his campaign, Iyere faced numerous obstacles, most notably from his running mate, Bright Enabulele, and other party members who attempted to undermine his candidacy.
Enabulele has gone as far as falsely presenting himself as the party’s legitimate candidate for governor, despite official government records clearly showing otherwise.
On Saturday, September 21, eligible voters in Edo State will head to the polls to elect a new governor, who will take over from the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, upon the completion of his eight-year tenure on November 12, 2024.
Some of the leading contenders in the race include Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party.
In his withdrawal statement, Iyere made it clear that his priorities have shifted away from the governorship. He expressed his intention to focus on national issues, particularly those related to unemployment and economic development, as part of his ongoing efforts to support the federal government.
Iyere urged the voters of Edo State to back a candidate from Edo Central Senatorial District, advocating for a fair and just rotation of power, which he noted has been awaited for 24 years.
He emphasized that his current involvement at the federal level is driven by a sincere commitment to addressing the critical social and economic challenges facing the nation.
Iyere stated, “My focus is no longer on the governorship seat but on a higher and bigger portfolio than a Governor. I want to serve Nigerians at large and not just Edo indigenes. I want to help rebuild Nigeria’s lost economic greatness.”
He continued, “Serving as a Governor will actually place limitations on me. So, when I saw the plots displayed by Enabulele and some leaders of Accord Party at the State Level, then I knew it was time for me to embrace a higher calling, which was to step up my game to the federal level where I am presently hugely contributing my efforts towards national development.”
Iyere further explained, “I am assisting the federal government to devise a road map for the economic inclusion, engagement, self-emancipation, and deradicalisation of youths by designing and driving social intervention programmes that aim to mitigate unemployment and enhance youth and women entrepreneurial opportunities for mass self-employment, wealth creation, and poverty alleviation.”
He revealed that these programmes are set to fully commence in October 2024 and are expected to place Nigeria on a rapid path to economic recovery. Iyere added, “Our intervention programmes will enhance opportunities for youth entrepreneurship engagement in multiple sectors, especially agriculture, food and beverage, technology, entertainment, innovation, and creativity.”
Iyere also mentioned that more than six million youth and women entrepreneurs (as MSME owners and operators) will be created or produced within the first year of the official kick-off of this entrepreneurship programme. He highlighted that one of the main challenges facing Nigerian youths and women is the lack of access to business capital needed to either start a new business or expand an existing one. This programme, he asserted, will directly address that critical need.