Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki as at Saturday morning is not a member of the party.
This is contrary to speculations that the Governor decamped to PDP after he was disqualified by his party, All Progressive Congress (APC) from participating in its governorship primary slated for June 22.
Read Also: Just In: APC Panel Disqualifies Governor Obaseki, Others From Edo Primary Election
The chairman of PDP in Edo state, Hon. Tony Aziegbemi disclosed this on Saturday during a television appearance on ‘The Weekend Show’ on Africa Independent Television (AIT).
The former member of the House of Representatives noted that Obaseki has not joined the PDP as at Saturday.
He said;
As we speak, His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki has not joined the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Hon. Aziegbemi however said the party will welcome Obaseki if he decides to join the PDP after his disqualification.
He added that Obaseki will not be able to participate in the party’s primary except the National Working Committee of PDP grants him a waiver.
The Chairman maintained that Obaseki will not get automatic ticket, even, if granted waiver by the NWC, stressing that he will have to battle it out with other governorship aspirants in the party.
Obaseki’s disqualification by the National Working Committee of the APC is due to discrepancies in his secondary school leaving certificate and NYSC certificate.
It is also alleged that Obaseki’s disqualification is attributed to the feud between the Governor and his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who is also the National Chairman of APC, over Obaseki’s intention to run for second term and other issues.
The drama between Obaseki and Oshiomhole has polarised the party in Edo State.
Oshiomhole-led faction recently endorsed Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as its consensus candidate for the June 22 governorship primary election of the party, while Governor Obaseki was sidelined.
Read Also: Just In: Ize-Iyamu Overthrows Obaseki, Emerges As Edo APC Consensus Candidate
After his disqualification, Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, in a statement said Governor Obaseki will not appeal the outcome of the screening process.
Read Also: I Won’t Appeal My Disqualification From Primary Election – Obaseki
Osagie said;
We have watched the mockery of democratic process, which Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is administering and superintending over in our great party, the All Progressives Congress. It has been an unfortunate, disheartening and dreadful spectacle.
He added;
We have therefore decided that it would be effort in futility to appeal whatever the unjust outcome of the evaluation and screening process of the APC will be, especially when Comrade Oshiomhole has declared that he is the Supreme Court and ultimate determiner of the fate and future of our great party.
