- Obaseki consults with colleague Governors in APC and PDP before final decision on his future
The development from the raging crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State that took a deep on Friday with the disqualification of the incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki, is exciting to the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who hopes to take full advantage of it.
Global UpFront Newspapers (GUN) gathered from credible sources that the PDP leadership is happy with the situation and hopes to exploit and gain from the crisis in the September 19, 2020 gubernatorial poll in the State.
The leading opposition party is also studying the grounds used in disqualifying the Governor in case he decides to join the PDP.
The source said that the PDP is determined to take maximum advantage of the fight that heightens by the day to save the people of Edo State from “the confusion and the godfatherism of APC.”
Meanwhile GUN learnt that Gov. Obaseki, who got credible intelligence long ago that he would be disqualified by the primary election screening committee, has begun consultations with his colleague Governors in the two parties (APC and PDP) preparatory to his final decision whether to approach court or seek a new party platform.
A source said that PDP Governors and the leadership of the party are favourably disposed to accommodating him. But they need to convince the local leadership of the party in Edo State who are providing some resistance.
The APC screening committee, led by Professor Jonathan Ayuba on Friday disqualified Governor Obaseki from participating in the June 22 Edo State Governorship Primary election.
Obaseki had on Wednesday night expressed fear that he might not get justice from the Edo State Governorship Primary Screening Committee, after emerging from two hours of combative encounter with the seven-man committee at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
The Governor told journalists that “the last time I came here, I asked that Oshiomhole recuse himself from the process in the interest of peace and justice. But as a party man, I have had to go through the screening like everybody else. Since he is the judge and the jury in this matter, I will just wait for the outcome of the screening.
“I have given them all the information they need; the controversial certificate from the University of Ibadan has been tendered. Like I said, as a party man I have engine through the screening process but I do not believe that I will get justice because Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is an interested party in the Edo process.”
Already, Governor Obaseki has said he will not appeal his disqualification from primary election, describing it as “Oshiomhole’s rascality.”