Edo 2020: PDP Ready To Admit Obaseki

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said its doors is open for Edo State state Governor, Godwin Obaseki who was Friday screened out for the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship primary election in the state.

Obaseki was considered ineligible to contest the APC governorship primary election by the party’s screening committee, led by its Chairman, Jonathan Ayuba, on the grounds that they could not confirm the authenticity of the Higher School Certificate he claimed but could not produce.

While presenting the committee’s report to the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee, Ayuba said the document the governor produced only attested to his attendance.

The governor however vowed not to appeal the decision which further reinforced the indication that he was headed for the main opposition party.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan told The Nation, on Friday, that the party will readily admit Obaseki into its fold if he decides to join the main opposition party.

“Yes, we will accept him, of course,” said Ologbondiyan, when asked if the PDP was ready to admit the governor into its fold.

Ologbondiyan however, said Obaseki had yet to approach the PDP for membership.

Asked if the PDP would offer its Edo State governorship ticket to Obaseki if he joined the party, the party spokesman said the governor won’t get automatic ticket if he joined.

“Joining a party is different from contesting election. These are two separate things. People join political parties from their wards. We are in touch with our Edo State chapter and they have not told us that the governor had joined our party,” Ologbondiyan said.

Three aspirants seeking the PDP ticket for the Edo election had already been screened, signaling the close of nominations.

The Nation reports a party source hinted that the eventual winner of the PDP ticket might be persuaded to withdraw from the race for the incumbent governor on agreed terms.

The leadership of the PDP has always maintained that it would not hesitate to grant waivers to new entrants to contest elections, even on the day they joined the party.