REBUTTAL: Igueben APC Unity Front Dismisses Allegations Against Paddy Iyamu as Baseless and Politically Motivated

The Igueben APC Unity Front has strongly dismissed a protest letter circulating in Igueben Local Government Area which accused the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, of attempting to impose a candidate ahead of the next Edo State House of Assembly election.

In a statement issued by the group, the allegations were described as baseless, misleading, and the handiwork of a faceless group seeking to create unnecessary controversy within the party.

According to the Igueben APC Unity Front, the claims contained in the protest letter are riddled with misinformation and politically motivated attacks aimed at discrediting a legitimate show of political support.

The group emphasized that Honourable Iyamu, like every other committed member of the All Progressives Congress, has the democratic right to support any aspirant of his choice in a political contest.

“The attempt by a faceless group to criminalize political support is laughable and clearly exposes the level of fear and insecurity among those who are already jittery ahead of the party primaries,” the statement read.

The Igueben APC Unity Front further clarified that the commissioner’s visit to Igueben was done strictly in his personal capacity as a party member and friend to the aspirant, and not in any official capacity on behalf of the Edo State Government led by Monday Okpebholo.

They also dismissed claims suggesting that the aspirant plans to defect to another political party if he fails to secure the APC ticket, describing the allegation as “a fabrication from the pit of hell designed to mislead party members and stir unnecessary tension.”

“The desperate narrative that the aspirant intends to move to the African Democratic Congress is nothing but a malicious lie. It only exposes the level of panic among those hiding behind anonymous signatures and shadowy platforms,” the group added.

On allegations relating to the last governorship election involving Asue Ighodaro, the group described the claims as reckless and unsubstantiated, stressing that such serious accusations should not be thrown into the public domain without credible proof.

The group also criticized attempts to drag the governor into what they described as a local political contest among aspirants.

“The attempt to drag Governor Monday Okpebholo into a self-inflicted political struggle is unnecessary and unfortunate. The governor remains focused on governance and the development of Edo State and should not be distracted by politically motivated propaganda.”

The Igueben APC Unity Front therefore advised those behind the protest letter to abandon smear campaigns and instead prepare to test their popularity through the party’s primary process.

“If they truly believe in their strength and acceptance within the party, the proper place to prove it is at the primaries — not through propaganda, intimidation, or faceless protest letters.”

The group concluded by reaffirming its confidence in the democratic processes of the All Progressives Congress, noting that the party remains committed to fairness, transparency, and internal democracy in the selection of its candidates.

“Political contests are not won through blackmail or manufactured outrage. Aspirants should engage party members, build support, and prepare for the primaries instead of resorting to distractions,” the statement concluded.