Following days of speculations on if the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP will adopt embattled governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki and offer him the party’s gubernatorial ticket, it now appears this has been finally put to rest.
This is as the Edo state PDP Chairman, Hon Tony Aziegbe has confirmed that Obaseki would be defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a matter of days.
But, he however noted that he will not be given automatic ticket to contest the governorship election slated for September 19.
While speaking in an interview on Monday evening, Hon Tony Aziegbe who succeeded erstwhile PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih in April. said , “There is nothing like automatic ticket for anybody, not even for an incumbent governor like Godwin Obaseki. it is like that in any democratic environment, there is a process as laid down by the constitution of the party and that we will follow.
“But I can however, confirm authoritatively to you that the governor, Godwin Obaseki his deputy, Philip Shaibu and the entire All Progressives Congress (APC) structure in Edo state will be joining our party soon. It’s only a matter of days. We have been in contact with him in the last few days and by tomorrow, I will be able to confirm and report the exact date he will be joining with his followers and supporters.
“I am not aware of the reports flying around that the governor has obtained PDP membership form in ward 4, Oredo local government, all I know is he will be joining the PDP soon.
“ where have you heard before that somebody will join a party and within three days he will be given the ticket? That is not possible anywhere. He did not even buy the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms form, nor was he Screened. How do you talk about automatic ticket?
Hon Tony Aziegbe
Speculations over Obaseki membership of the PDP became rife when on Friday, the APC governorship screening committee disqualified him from taking part in the party’s primaries scheduled for June 22.
The PDP primaries is slated for June 19, with three governorship aspirants, Omoregie-Ogbeide-Ihama, Gideon Ikhine and Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon already Screened.
