Kennedy Iyere, the governorship candidate of the Accord Party, has officially pulled out of the 2024 Edo Gubernatorial race, expressing a desire to focus on solving Nigeria’s broader social and economic issues, particularly the ongoing food crisis. In a heartfelt statement, Iyere emphasized his passion for serving the country at a national level, using his skills to tackle pressing challenges.
Iyere referred to his proposed ‘Food4All Initiative,’ a large-scale project he presented to President Bola Tinubu. This initiative aims to secure food for all Nigerians while generating employment opportunities, especially for youth and women, through the “One-Family-One-Farmer Scheme.”
Iyere also cited internal party issues as a key reason for his decision, specifically pointing to a betrayal by his running mate, Bright Enabulele, who he claims conspired against him. Despite these hurdles, Iyere encouraged the people of Edo State to remain calm, vote their conscience, and uphold the principle of power rotation across the three Senatorial Districts.
Looking ahead, Iyere is now concentrating on national development and working closely with the federal government to create strategies for economic inclusion. He underscored the importance of initiatives aimed at empowering and engaging the youth while preventing radicalization.
In his closing remarks, Iyere made it clear that his decision to step away from the gubernatorial race was driven by a deep-seated desire to contribute to the country’s growth on a larger scale, rather than being confined to one state.
“My focus is no longer on becoming a governor. I want to serve all Nigerians, not just Edo indigenes. My goal is to help restore Nigeria’s lost economic potential,” he explained. “Being governor would limit my reach, so when I saw the plots by Enabulele and certain leaders within the Accord Party, I realized it was time to embrace my higher calling—to step up to the federal level where I can make a greater impact.”
Iyere continued, “I am currently working with the federal government to design a roadmap for youth engagement, self-empowerment, and deradicalization. We are launching social intervention programs aimed at tackling unemployment and boosting entrepreneurship for both youth and women, leading to mass employment, wealth creation, and poverty reduction.”
These programs, Iyere noted, will kick off in October 2024 and will be pivotal in steering Nigeria back to economic recovery. He expects that over six million new youth and women entrepreneurs will emerge from the program within its first year, especially in key sectors like agriculture, technology, and entertainment.
“This program will address the critical issue of access to capital, enabling our youth and women to either launch new businesses or grow existing ones,” Iyere added, reinforcing his commitment to creating opportunities for economic growth and self-sufficiency in Nigeria.
