Edo 2020: Is PDP The Next Bus Stop For Godwin Obaseki?

The dream by Godwin Obaseki to contest for a second term in office as the Governor of Edo State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came to an abrupt end on Friday, June 12.

This is as the screening committee of the APC disqualified him from contesting the party’s primary election scheduled for June 22, 2020.

The committee disqualified Obaseki from the party primaries on the grounds that his HSC and NYSC certificates are defective.

Professor Jonathan Ayuba, chairman of the screening committee, confirmed this while presenting his report in Abuja.

With Obaseki’s disqualification, the coast appears clear for Osagie Ize-Iyamu to clinch the APC governorship ticket.

After the declaration by the party, Obaseki in his reaction declared that he won’t be contesting the decision of the screening committee to disqualify him from contesting for the party’s flag.

Explaining his decision not to contest the screening committee’s decision, Obaseki noted that he believes it will be a futile effort as the outcome seems to have been pre-determined by the National Chairman of the party who is also his own predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

But does it mean Obaseki is backing out of the governorship race totally? The answer is a big No.!

He however seems to be keeping his next move close to his heart. Does Obaseki have some political tricks up his sleeves in the race to the Edo State governorship seat? Well, time will tell.

But in the meantime, another question that is begging for answer is on which party’s platform Obaseki will hope to continue his dream of returning as the Governor of Edo State in the election scheduled for September 19, 2020?

It looks like a wise move for him to pitch his tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the PDP has always been strong in Edo State.

Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan has recently before Obaseki’s disqualification, declared that he and all other aggrieved members of the APC in Edo State are welcome in the party which could mean PDP is technically waiting for his defection.

It however remains to be seen if other aspirants within the PDP that are also eyeing the party’s governorship ticket will be willing to drop their ambition for Obaseki should he choose to join ranks with the PDP.

Obaseki will also need a waiver from the party’s leadership to be able to contest in the PDP governorship primaries scheduled for June 19.

Should Obaseki however decamp to the PDP and clinch the party’s ticket, Nigerians may just be set for a rematch of the 2016 governorship contest in Edo State.

Then, Ize-Iyamu ran on the PDP’s platform while Obaseki ran and won on the APC’s platform.

In 2016, Obaseki polled 319,483 votes to defeat Ize-Iyamu who got a total of 253,173 votes.

In all, the stage appears set for an interesting Edo governorship election slated for September 19. The actors are already on stage and the audience are set to witness a great political show.