Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu — A Strategic Journey Through Power, Loyalty, and Political Resilience
15 July 2025
From his early days as Personal Assistant to Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion — then Chairman of Oredo Local Government — Pastor Osagie Andrew Ize-Iyamu has journeyed through the heart of Edo politics with remarkable consistency, intellect, and adaptability.
Over the last three decades, he has evolved from a loyal technocrat to one of Edo’s most formidable political figures — a master strategist, party builder, and unifying voice whose influence reaches far beyond partisan boundaries.
Rising Through the Igbinedion Years
Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s political foundation was laid during the Igbinedion administration. When Lucky Igbinedion became Governor of Edo State in 1999, Ize-Iyamu — then an intelligent and resourceful aide — was appointed Chief of Staff and later Secretary to the State Government (SSG), two key positions that placed him at the heart of governance.
He quickly earned a reputation for coordination, grassroots engagement, and bridge-building between political structures and everyday citizens.
The Grace Group and Political Realignment
In the early 2000s, dissatisfied with internal dynamics in the PDP, Ize-Iyamu led the Grace Group — a reformist movement within the party that challenged godfatherism and imposition. Their motto, “No man is God,” captured the spirit of political resistance and reform in Edo State.
The movement later laid the foundation for the formation of the Action Congress (AC) and, eventually, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), with Ize-Iyamu playing a core role in shaping the party’s structure and ideology in Edo.
Alliance with Oshiomhole and ACN’s Rise
When Comrade Adams Oshiomhole emerged as the opposition’s strongest hope in 2007, Pastor Ize-Iyamu was central to the planning, campaign coordination, and legal strategy that ultimately delivered Oshiomhole’s landmark 2008 victory.
Even more remarkable was his role as Director General of Oshiomhole’s 2012 re-election campaign. Under Ize-Iyamu’s leadership, the campaign didn’t just win — it defeated a sitting PDP federal-backed machine in one of the most emphatic second-term victories in Edo’s political history. His coordination, messaging, and grasp of voter dynamics were crucial to that success, cementing his reputation as a tactical political general.
A Founding Architect of the APC
In 2013, Pastor Ize-Iyamu stepped onto the national stage during the historic merger of four political parties — ACN, CPC, ANPP, and a faction of APGA — into what became the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He played a behind-the-scenes role in negotiating and aligning interests, especially in the South-South, leveraging his vast network and reputation as a unifier. The merger didn’t just create a new party — it paved the way for the PDP’s historic defeat at the national level in 2015.
No longer just a regional force, Ize-Iyamu had become a respected national strategist, trusted by leaders across zones and party lines.
Return to PDP and the 2016 Governorship Run
In 2014, Ize-Iyamu returned to the PDP and secured the party’s ticket for the 2016 governorship election in Edo State. Running on his widely publicized SIMPLE Agenda, he offered a six-point framework focused on:
- Security
- Infrastructure
- Manpower Development
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Leadership by Example
- Education
He mounted a robust campaign across all 18 local government areas, drawing massive grassroots support but narrowly lost to Godwin Obaseki, then APC’s candidate and Oshiomhole’s anointed successor.
2020: A Political Twist and a Second Shot
In a dramatic twist, Pastor Ize-Iyamu returned to the APC in 2019, this time with the blessing of Adams Oshiomhole. He became the APC’s governorship candidate for the 2020 election, facing off once again with Obaseki — who had moved to the PDP after falling out with Oshiomhole.
The contest was intense, symbolic, and deeply polarizing. Despite high-level national support and an expanded campaign structure, Ize-Iyamu lost for the second time to Obaseki.
Post-2020: Silent Strength, Strategic Presence
Since the 2020 elections, Pastor Ize-Iyamu has adopted a more reflective, behind-the-scenes role in Edo politics. He continues to command respect as one of the few leaders with an unbroken political structure spanning the state’s three senatorial districts.
He remains a trusted strategist, respected across party lines — a man whose understanding of Edo politics is unmatched.
Character Over Conflict: Loyalty Beyond Politics
Pastor Ize-Iyamu is more than a politician — he is a builder of systems and a strategist of structure. His support base cuts across the APC and PDP, built over decades of consistent engagement, grassroots accessibility, and tested loyalty.
Above all, he is dependable — a man who shows up for friends, associates, and the ordinary people. Whether the occasion is grand or simple, whether the individual involved is powerful or unknown, he is known to attend, support, and uplift without pride or prejudice.
Despite betrayals by many who rose through his platform, he holds no grudges — known for his calm temperament, forgiving spirit, and unwavering belief in divine timing.
Conclusion: A Political Pillar and a Missed Opportunity
From Oredo Local Government to the national merger table, from campaign strategist to governorship contender, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s journey is one of resilience, vision, and structure.
Whether or not he ever returns to the ballot, his legacy as a key architect of modern Edo politics is secure. He has helped build parties, deliver victories, and shape the careers of men who once stood in his shadow.
Yet, for all his qualifications, sacrifices, and readiness to serve, Edo State failed to produce the governor it already had — not because he was unworthy, but because the politics of betrayal, fear, and internal sabotage often overshadow competence and capacity.
A rare opportunity was missed — not just for Edo South, but for the entire Edo State.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is not merely a participant in politics — he is a cornerstone, a strategist, a survivor, a dependable friend, and a statesman.
His story is still being written.
Written by Comrade Ikhuenbor Felix Igbinevbo (Mr Figo)
📞 +234 806 308 5664.
