Benin groups back Iyamu, say origin issue resolved

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A coalition of Benin socio-cultural and youth groups has endorsed the candidacy of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Oredo Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Dr Paddy Iyamu declaring that earlier reservations about his origin had been resolved.

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The groups, numbering about 25, including Oredo Youth Movement Worldwide, Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, Eliz United Forum, Girl Child for Social Change, threw their weight behind Iyamu at an endorsement ceremony on Tuesday at Imaguero College, Benin City.

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Recall that some of the groups had previously expressed concerns over the politician’s background and origin.

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However, they now said they had carried out an investigation and were satisfied that the issues were based on misconceptions, which had been put to rest.

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The Chairman of Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, Mr Osaro Iyamu, said the group had listened to explanations surrounding the controversy and was convinced that Paddy Iyamu remained a Benin man deserving of their support.

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He said, “We have heard a lot of misconceptions about Hon. Paddy Iyamu, and these misconceptions have been corrected, and that is why we are supporting him. We have to support our own.”

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Also, the Chairman of Oredo Youth Movement Worldwide, Kari Edosa, said the group had discovered that the issues surrounding Iyamu’s origin were unfounded.

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He added, “We have found out that Hon. Paddy Iyamu is a man of pedigree. We have found out that he is not an Ijaw man. His father’s house is at Sakponba Road. We have got necessary clarification, and we are supporting him.”

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Responding, Iyamu said his aspiration to represent Oredo Federal Constituency was driven by a genuine desire to serve the people and build on the interventions he had undertaken before and during his political career.

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He recalled that he established the Dr Paddy Iyamu Foundation in 2014, through which he had provided free medical surgeries, youth empowerment programmes and other interventions across Edo State.

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Iyamu said his foundation had annually provided free surgeries for residents suffering from conditions including fibroids, glaucoma and breast lumps, while also empowering hundreds of youths.

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He added that the foundation’s free surgery programme would resume in November, while its annual food bank for the elderly would also continue.

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“Whether I am campaigning or not, it is a covenant with God,” he said.

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The former commissioner also cited some of the interventions recorded during his tenure, including the rehabilitation of the six-kilometre road along the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.

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He said the project was facilitated after he raised the plight of students and residents with Governor Monday Okpebholo, leading to collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC

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