In a significant development for the political landscape of Edo State, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, a prominent humanitarian activist and philanthropist, has officially withdrawn from the 2024 Edo Gubernatorial Race as the candidate for the Accord Party.
Iyere made this decision to redirect his efforts towards serving Nigeria on a broader scale, emphasizing the urgent need for his expertise in addressing the country’s pressing social and economic challenges, particularly the escalating food and hunger crisis that has left many Nigerians in dire poverty.
Iyere’s commitment to tackling food insecurity is evident through his recent launch of the multi-billion dollar “Food4All Initiative.” This strategic program, which he presented to President Tinubu, aims to achieve food security for Nigeria while simultaneously creating mass employment opportunities for youth and women through the innovative “One-Family-One-Farmer Scheme.” This initiative is a social enterprise program established by FUND-YES Cooperative, part of the Youths Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI), in collaboration with Multi-Life Savers For The Less-Privileged.
The journey to his candidacy was not without challenges. Iyere faced significant opposition when his running mate, Bright Enabulele, aligned himself with the Edo State Chairman of the Accord Party and other political opportunists in an attempt to usurp Iyere’s candidacy. Enabulele even sponsored protests aimed at damaging Iyere’s reputation.
Despite these challenges, Iyere remained resilient, and with less than two days until the 2024 Edo Gubernatorial Poll, Enabulele continues to falsely present himself as the Accord Party’s gubernatorial candidate, despite confirmation from the INEC Portal that he is merely a Deputy Governorship Candidate. Notably, Enabulele had been absent from Nigeria for 15 years, residing in the United States during the 2024 Accord Gubernatorial Primary, which Iyere fully funded.
Reflecting on his decision, Iyere stated, “My focus is no longer on the governorship seat; I aspire to serve Nigerians on a grander scale. I aim to help restore Nigeria’s lost economic greatness. As a philanthropist with extensive international contacts and influence, I realize that serving as governor would constrain my ability to effect change.
The antics of Bright Enabulele and certain leaders of the Accord Party made it clear that I should embrace a higher calling and amplify my contributions at the federal level, where I am currently making significant strides in national development.”
Iyere is actively collaborating with the federal government to craft a roadmap for economic inclusion, self-emancipation, and the deradicalization of youth through social intervention programs aimed at reducing unemployment and enhancing entrepreneurial opportunities for youth and women.
He announced that these initiatives are set to launch in October 2024, positioning Nigeria for a swift economic recovery. The programs are expected to create opportunities across various sectors, including agriculture, food and beverage, technology, entertainment, innovation, and creativity, with a goal of generating over six million youth and women entrepreneurs within the first year.
In his closing remarks, Iyere urged all eligible voters in Edo State to reject violence and vote according to their beliefs. He emphasized the importance of equitable power rotation among the three Senatorial Districts, advocating for a governor from Edo Central after 24 years of waiting.
Iyere reiterated that his alignment with the Federal Government is driven by a selfless desire to serve humanity through public service, rather than partisan politics. He expressed his commitment to answering the urgent call to rescue Nigeria from its current social and economic crisis, encouraging all citizens to join him in this vital mission.
