Edo Guber: Accord Party candidate withdraws from poll, gives reason

Kennedy Iyere, the governorship candidate of the Accord Party, has officially withdrawn from the 2024 Edo Gubernatorial election, citing a desire to serve Nigeria at a broader level.

He emphasized his commitment to addressing the nation’s pressing social and economic challenges, particularly the food and hunger crisis.

Iyere previously presented a multi-billion dollar initiative called the ‘Food4All Initiative’ to President Tinubu, aimed at achieving food security and creating mass employment for youths and women through the “One-Family-One-Farmer Scheme.”

His decision to step down was also influenced by internal party conflicts, including alleged conspiracies involving his running mate, Bright Enabulele, who reportedly sought to undermine his candidacy.

Despite his withdrawal, Iyere urged eligible voters in Edo State to participate peacefully in the election and to prioritize equitable power rotation among the three Senatorial Districts.

He expressed his intention to focus on national development and assist the federal government in crafting a roadmap for economic inclusion and youth engagement through social intervention programs.

“My focus is no longer on the governorship seat but on a higher and bigger portfolio than a Governor,” Iyere stated, emphasizing his ambition to help rebuild Nigeria’s economic strength.

He outlined plans to launch entrepreneurship programs aimed at creating over six million youth and women entrepreneurs within the first year, addressing the critical need for access to business capital.

These initiatives are set to commence in October 2024, marking a significant step towards rapid economic recovery and enhancing opportunities for youth entrepreneurship across various sectors, including agriculture, technology, and entertainment.