Abuja------------------- The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo received the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu, at the Presidential  Villa, Friday. 

Ize-Iyamu, was earlier presented with APC’s flag for September 19, Edo State governorship election by President Muhammadu Buhari. 

He was accompanied to the vice president’s office by Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, who heads the  49-member APC National Campaign Council on Edo State Election.

Ize-Iyamu told state House correspondents afterwards that the visit was to show the vice president the flag, presented to him by the president and leadership of the party.

He said that the vice president was not only delighted but prayed for the party’s success, saying that everyone was committed to APC’s victory in the forthcoming poll.

His words, "Of course, he (Osinbajo) also commended Governor Ganduje for the way he has handled the campaign so far.

”He enjoined us to ensure that no matter the provocation from the other side;  we should try to run a very peaceful campaign; we promised him we will do so.

“You will notice that we have been very peaceful in everything we have been doing; my nomination was peaceful; even when they were destroying our bill boards, rather than retaliate, we simply went to report to security agencies.

“So, we have no intention of being violent; we have talked to our supporters and we are confident that they will also be peace-abiding.

“My only appeal is that the PDP and the governor should realise that election is not do or die and should allow the  will of the people to prevail and let’s do it as peacefully as possible.’’

However, Ganduje also said that all stakeholders had heard what INEC said about peaceful election in the state and appealed to its members to be peaceful as they have been and should not allow themselves to be provoked.

“Our own card is that of mobilisation; we have various mobilisation committees working in various communities on our side.

“And luckily enough, the governor has failed his people; that is a big advantage to the APC,’’ he added.