Intrigues As PDP Grants Obaseki, Deputy Waiver To Contest Edo Guber Primary

Intrigues has began in Edo state as Governor Godwin Obaseki was on Friday granted waiver to contest his reelection bid under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he was edged out by the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) over credential scandal.

Obaseki, who dumped the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday following his controversial disqualification from contesting the party’s primary election, picked up his PDP membership card at the party’s secretariat in Benin City, the state capital, Friday afternoon.

The waiver followed his defection alongside his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu to the PDP.

The governor had earlier obtained his nomination and expression of interest form shortly after he officially declared for the party on Friday afternoon.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement signed on Friday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, postponed its gubernatorial primary election in Edo state for the second time in 24 hours in what pundits say an interesting intrigues, all to ensure Obaseki participate in the party’s primary.

On Thursday, the party had announced that the exercise initially scheduled for June 19 had been moved to June 23.

But the party’s spokesman, in an intriguing moves said the primary election has now been shifted to June 25.

“The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has granted waiver to Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki to contest the Edo governorship election primary,” the statement read.

He said the decision was predicated on certain sections enshrined in the constitution of the party.

“The action of the NWC is pursuant to Section 29(2)(b) of the PDP constitution and in exercise of the powers of the National Executive Committee under Section (50)(3)(b) of the PDP constitution.

“The NWC in exercise of the above powers has ratified the application for waiver by the ward, local government and state executives of the party in Edo State and accordingly grants waiver to His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki to enable him contest the gubernatorial primary of the PDP.

“Also the NWC has further shifted the Edo State Governorship Primary from an earlier slated date of Tuesday, June 23 to a new date of Thursday, June 25, 2020. The shift is again predicated on exigencies of party activities.”

Addressing party officials after he picked his membership card, the governor said he automatically becomes the PDP leader in the state following his defection.

Report says Obaseki also reiterated his commitment to providing what he described as quality leadership, adding that he is ready to lead the party to victory in the September 19 governorship election.

After displaying his membership card, he said: “I automatically become the leader of this party. I want to assure all of you (that) I am prepared to provide leadership.

“I am prepared to provide leadership that will lead this party to victory. I am prepared to provide leadership that will not only put PDP into office in Edo State but as a ruling party in Edo State, we will make sure that the level of progress, growth and participation in the political system and our people is unrivalled in this country.

“I am very happy to be here. With the reception I have received since I drove in here has been ecstatic. The energy I see in this party is the kind of energy I require to take Edo to the level we should go to next.”