…says ‘I’ll seek re-election on my new party’s platform’
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, says his defection to the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party is to bring about good governance for the development of the state.
Obaseki, who also said that he would be contesting the 2020 governorship election in the state on the PDP platform, described his disqualification from the ruling All Progressives Congress as “unjust.”
He, therefore, stressed that his defection to the PDP was to “engender good governance” in the state.
The governor noted that the PDP had demonstrated the ability to give him an opportunity to bring sustainable development to the state.
Obaseki said this shortly after announcing his defection to the PDP on Friday.
Following his disqualification by the APC from contesting the June 22 Edo APC governorship primary, the embattled Edo governor had visited Rivers State Governor, Nyemson Wike, and other governors on the platform of the PDP to solicit their support.
Apparently to accommodate Obaseki, the PDP postponed its primary election in Edo from June 19 and June 20 till June 23 while also announcing waivers for the governor.
But it is still not clear if Obaseki would be adopted by the Edo PDP as a consensus candidate for the governorship election or a primary election would be conducted.
It is also yet to be confirmed if Obaseki would be contesting alongside his deputy, Philip Shaibu in the election.
While announcing his defection, Obaseki asked his supporters in the state and Nigeria to join the PDP, saying, “I have officially joined the PDP Nigeria to advance my ambition to seek re-election as Governor of Edo State.
“I, as always, remain committed to engendering good governance and sustainable development of our dear state.”
The Edo governor defected to PDP barely one week after the APC National Working Committee approved its screening and appeal committees’ reports disqualifying Obaseki and two others from participating in the June 22 governorship primaries in Edo.
On Tuesday, the governor resigned his membership of APC alongside his Deputy, Philip Shaibu.
The NWC, led by its National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, announced Obaseki’s disqualification on June 13 at a news conference in Abuja.
Oshiomhole said the NWC, which reviewed the two reports, was satisfied that members of the committees were unanimous in their decisions.
The appeal panel, headed by Prof. Abubakar Fari, had upheld the outcome of the screening committee while presenting the report to Oshiomhole at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has slated September 19 for the governorship poll in Edo.