Edo 2024: Accord Party gets new candidate hours to election
Less than 24 hours to the Edo State governorship election, Accord Party was faced with the decision of nominating a new candidate, Dr. Bright Enabulele, to replace Kennedy Iyere who stepped down amidst candidacy disputes.
According to the party’s leadership, they remain unfazed by Iyere’s abrupt exit, affirming Enabulele’s potential to secure victory in the upcoming governorship election.
Iyere, in a widely circulated news report, cited internal party disputes, including an alleged plot involving Enabulele, as the driving force behind his choice to step down.
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 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 actually 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”.
