A former Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Pally Iriase, has openly declined his nomination to the National Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.
Iriase, who expressed surprise over his inclusion in the APC campaign council list released last Friday, stated that he was not consulted prior to the announcement.
Emphasizing his current stance on political involvement, Iriase mentioned that he had stepped aside from active politics.
In his statement released to the press on Friday, Iriase conveyed his good wishes to the APC for a successful campaign and a peaceful electoral process.
The statement reads, “My attention has been drawn to the fact that my name is included in the list of appointees into the National Campaign Council for the governorship election in Edo State by the All Progressives Congress.
“I appreciate the National Working Committee for finding me worthy of the appointment. But, I hereby reject the appointment for the following reasons:
“I was never consulted. I have for several years stepped away from partisan politics, and I do not intend to change my mind.
“I do not want my associates, friends, admirers, and family to see me as a hypocrite.
“While wishing APC a successful campaign and a peaceful election, I strongly urge everyone to respect my desire to be excluded from partisan politics.”