TheCable

The Accord Party (AP) says Kennedy Iyere, a human rights activist, is its recognised candidate for the Edo state governorship election.

The Edo governorship election has been slated to be held on September 21.

In February, Iyere became the party’s flagbearer after five other aspirants stepped down for him a day before the primary election.

Iyere immediately named Bright Enabulele as his running mate for the governorship election.

Joseph Omorogbe, national publicity secretary of AP, in a statement on Tuesday, said the attention of the party has been brought to Enabulele parading himself as the governorship candidate.

Omorogbe said Iyere remains the party’s governorship candidate, while Enabulele is his running mate.

“The Accord Party’s leadership is alarmed by a recent statement from its Deputy Governorship candidate in Edo State, Mr. Bright Enabulele, in an interview with the media falsely claiming to be the Governorship candidate for the 2024 Edo Gubernatorial election,” the statement reads.

“However, it’s imperative to clarify that Comrade Kennedy Iyere rightfully holds that position, having emerged from the party’s primaries on February 17, 2024, and his candidacy has been duly registered on the INEC portal. Mr. Bright Enabulele, on the other hand, is rightfully listed as Comrade Iyere’s running mate.”

Omoregbe added that Maxwell Mgbudem, national chairman of the party “denounced the misinformation” and “cautioned against its potential to unnecessarily stoke tensions in the political arena”.

“Mgbudem urges both party members and the general public to dismiss this misleading narrative,” he said.

“Furthermore, he calls upon politicians to exhibit professionalism and responsibility in their statements, emphasizing the importance of avoiding actions that could sow discord among party members or mislead the unsuspecting public.”