A coalition of 25 prominent Benin socio-cultural and youth groups, on Tuesday endorsed the candidacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, declaring that earlier reservations about his origin had been resolved.
The groups, numbering about 25 and comprising Otedo Youth Movement Worldwide, Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, Eliz United Forum, Girl Child for Social Change and others, threw their weight behind Iyamu at an endorsement ceremony held at Imaguero College, Benin City.
Some of the groups had previously expressed concerns over the politician’s background and origin.
However, they said they had now been adequately clarified and were satisfied that the issues were based on misconceptions, which they declared had been put to rest.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, Mr. Osaro Culture 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.
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.”
Also speaking, Chairman of Otedo Youth Movement Worldwide, Comrade Kari Edosa, said the group had discovered that the issues surrounding Iyamu’s origin were unfounded.
According to him, “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 been clarified and we are supporting him.”
Edosa added that Iyamu’s record as Commissioner for Education demonstrated his commitment to the people.
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.
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.
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.
He added that the foundation’s free surgery programme would resume in November, while its annual food bank for the elderly would also continue. “Whether I am campaigning or not, it is a covenant with God,” he said.
The former commissioner also cited some of the interventions recorded during his tenure, including the rehabilitation of the six-kilometre road at Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.
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).