A coalition of Benin socio-cultural groups has endorsed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Oredo Federal Constituency and former Commissioner for Education, Hon. Paddy Iyamu, for the 2027 election.

The coalition, which comprises 25 groups, includes Otedo Youth Movement Worldwide, Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, Eliz United Forum and Girl Child for Social Change, among others.

Speaking at Imaguro College, Benin City, venue for the declaration of their support for Iyamu, Chairman of Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, Mr Osaro Culture Iyamu, said the group had previously held misconceptions about Paddy Iyamu, but that such concerns had been addressed.

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. Even before he became the Commissioner for Education, he has done so much for our people.

“His Foundation has been offering free medical surgeries to Edo people for a long time now. People have been saying that he is not a Benin man. Paddy Iyamu is a Benin man, even though his mother is a Yoruba woman. That is not sufficient to say that he is not a Benin man.

“We have endorsed him as our candidate for the Oredo Federal Constituency for the 2027 general election, because we know he is going to perform.

“Our political strength cannot be underestimated. Anyone who underestimates us is doing so at his own detriment.” He said.

Also speaking, Chairman of Otedo Youth Movement Worldwide, Comrade Kari Edosa, said there had previously been rancour between the Aiguobasinmwin Movement and Iyamu, but noted that the matter had been resolved.

“We have found out that Hon. Paddy Iyamu is a man of pedigree. The problem was that he was not a Benin man, but we have found out that he is a bona fide Benin man.

“He did well as Commissioner for Education. If only by his slogan that he wants the son of a nobody, who knows nobody, to be somebody. His heart is for the masses, his heart is for Edo people.”

Reacting, an elated Paddy Iyamu said his desire is to serve the people, noting that he had, before venturing into politics, established the Dr Paddy Iyamu Foundation in 2014 to provide free medical services and empower youths across Edo State.

“Before I became Commissioner, I founded the Dr Paddy Iyamu Foundation, which does youth empowerment every year. It offers free 100 surgeries, where we remove fibroids, glaucoma, and breast lumps from citizens, but after supporting the result-oriented governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, he told me that I must be part of his government. That was how I found myself in this government.

“Before now, I do youth empowerment. That was what brought me close to the governor. We gave out money to over 200 Edo youths.

“The free surgery is coming up again in November, my birth month. Whether I am campaigning or not, it is a covenant with God.

Continuing, he said: “Every year, we have the aged among us that can no longer fend for themselves. Every December, we have the food bank at Ogbe Stadium. You can ask our brothers what has been happening there.”

The former commissioner also recalled some of the projects and initiatives he facilitated during his tenure as Commissioner for Education, including the rehabilitation of a road at the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.

“As Commissioner for Education, I went to Edo Polytechnic Usen. The place was like a foul cage after 25 years. I went to the governor and told him, His Excellency, my people are suffering. The governor said that it was not in the budget and he had to find a way to put it in the budget.

“We had to put a call to the MD of NDDC, and within one week the process began to tar a 6km road at the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen. As I speak, that road has been commissioned.

“We employed about 6,000 teachers as Commissioner for Education, and with that there is a multiplier effect.

“By the grace of God, the only thing I owe to my people is service, and service I will give to you,” he concluded.

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