Reports from Edo State on Friday, June 12, revealed that Governor Godwin Obaseki may be heading for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This comes in the wake of his disqualification from the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary in the state.
A top member of Obaseki’s faction of the APC in Edo State revealed to our correspondent that the governor is weighing all the options available to him in the actualisation of his second term ambition and will announce his next line of action in a few days.
It was gathered that aides close to the governor had advised him to dump the ruling party; owing to the face-off between him and his predecessor and National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.
The source further stated that Obaseki had said he would remain in the APC and fight to the end; as regards his aspiration to contest for a second term on the platform of the party.
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In a bid to achieve his ambition, the governor is poised to join the PDP in the next couple of days.
1st News further garnered that the Edo governor had commenced negotiation with leaders of the PDP over the possibility of flying the party ‘s flag in the September 19, governorship poll.
“The main issue was the issue of deputy governorship candidate. They (PDP leaders) said they will give him a deputy and he (Obaseki) will drop his current deputy.
“The governor’s constraint has been dropping Shaibu, who is very loyal to him. However, events will unfold soon.
“Let’s say between now and next week, we will know where we are. The pressures have been on him to go to PDP, but he said he will fight the battle to the end,” the source said.
Obaseki not yet member of PDP – Chairman
However, the PDP on Saturday, explained that Obaseki is not a member of the party.
This is contrary to speculations that the Governor decamped to PDP after he was disqualified by the APC from participating in its governorship primary slated for June 22.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Edo State PDP Chairman; Hon. Tony Aziegbemi 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 on 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.
