Edo governorship: Judge withdraws from suit against Ize-Iyamu

A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, has recused himself from the suit seeking the disqualification of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his deputy, Mr Audu Ganiyu, in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State over alleged false information.

Justice Taiwo on Thursday announced the decision following a petition against him by one of the lawyers representing Ize-Iyamu’s APC, which he said affected his integrity as a judge, and decided to remit the case file to the Chief Judge, John Tsoho.

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The judge bemoaned the spate of petitions and accusations against judges which, he said, had assumed pandemic levels without the judges having the opportunity to defend themselves in the media.

The petition is coming after the judge had on August 24 refused a letter to the Chief Judge of the court demanding a transfer of the suit to another judge over alleged involvement with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who is leading the PDP campaign in Edo State where Governor Godwin Obaseki is contesting.

Meanwhile, Governor Obaseki, who is the candidate of the PDP, has called on the electorate in the state to come out en masse on September 19, 2020 and vote for the PDP to enable him consolidate on his achievements.

He made the call Thursday while addressing party faithful at a campaign rally in Urhonigbe wards 7 and 8, Orhionmwon Local Government of the state.

In another development, the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), in collaboration with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has organised capacity build workshops for Electoral Officers (EOs) across the 18 local governments towards achieving credible governorship election in the state.