Embattled Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, still has chance of retaining his second term through the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after his disqualification by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN) gathered that ahead of the formal announcement of his disqualification by the APC Governorship Screening Committee headed by Professor Jonathan Ayuba, Governor Obaseki, through intelligence, knew what was coming and began moves to do business with the PDP.
The matter was made easier for him with the arrival of two PDP Governors, Ahmadu Finitri of Adamawa State and Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, who were in the State to conduct PDP ward primaries preparatory for their picking of their own flagbearer for the September 19, 2020 election.
Governor Obaseki was very hospitable to his colleagues notwithstanding their party differences, accommodating them in Government Lodge.
Being privy to what was in offing for him, he used the opportunity of the two opposition Governors three-day presence to seal a deal that will see him fly the flag of the party in the election.
This development must have informed the Governor saying in his reaction to his disqualification that he was not going to appeal it.
In fact, immediately his disqualification from participating in the APC primaries was announced, his supporters mobilized and got him registered with the PDP.
He was registered and issued with a membership card at Ward 4, Oredo Local Government.
This kickstarts the moves to reconcile with the State leadership of the PDP who have not been enthusiastic on his joining the party. They would have preferred that Governor Obaseki not contest and support their own “authentic” PDP candidate.
Obaseki is expected to join PDP with the APC structure in the State loyal to him along with the 18 Local Government Council Chairmen, 12 members in the State Hose of Assembly and his political appointees and supporters.
Already, the PDP Governors are in the wings to plan a reception for him.
Meanwhile, the APC said it disqualified the Governor because of “multiple inconsistencies in his presented academic certificates,” the same academic qualifications for which he submitted and was cleared for the 2016 elections.
According to the source, “Governor Godwin Obaseki was deemed ineligible by the screening committee over multiple inconsistencies in his presented academic certificates, including a Higher School Certificate the Governor claimed to have obtained from an Institute of Continuing Education in Benin City, Edo State.”
The High School certificate, the committee ruled, was unknown to the Nigerian education system.
“The Governor also admitted during the screening that he never received the certificate.”
The committee also noted that his NYSC certificate indicated the name ‘Obasek’, and while it acknowledged that this could be an error on the part of the issuing body, it flagged the Governor’s failure to address the problem for years and thus solidified doubts on its authenticity.
The source said Obaseki also failed to supply additional documents solicited as proof of its claims.
“On these grounds, the Committee, relying on the party constitution, ruled Governor Godwin Obaseki ineligible for participation in the party primary,” the source said.
Also, Chris Ogiemwonyi was also ruled ineligible over inconsistencies in the name contained in his submitted academic certificates while Matthew Iduoriyekemwen was also disqualified
However, the major candidate favoured by APC national chairman and the new godfather of Edo State politics, Chief Adams Oshiomole, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and two other candidates, Pius Odubu and Osaro Obaze were declared eligible to participate in the primary election.
