UPDATED: Obaseki Disqualified From Contesting APC Primary Polls Over High School Certificate

The screening committee of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has disqualified Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki from contesting the forthcoming party’s governorship primary election, ahead of the September gubernatorial election.

The announcement was made on Friday by the screening committee Chairman, Jonathan Ayuba, during a press briefing in Abuja. 

While presenting the committee’s report to the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee, Ayuba said Obaseki was disqualified because the committee could not confirm the authenticity of the Higher School Certificate he claimed but could not produce.

He said the document the governor produced only attested to his attendance.

This is coming after the management of University of Ibadan (UI) and its alumni association had confirmed that Obaseki graduated from the institution, although the attestation was for his bachelor’s degree.

It was learnt that two other aspirants, Chris Ogiemwonyi and Mathew Iduoriyekenwen were also disqualified from partaking in the party primary polls.

The screening committee chairman said the report was conclusive, adding that the committee was thorough in the process of conducting the exercise.

According to him, the process was recorded and the unedited recording would be made available to the party.

Hours later, Obaseki, in his Twitter handle, called on the party members and supporters to remain calm.

“We call on all party members and our teeming supporters to remain calm and await further directives, in the light of the announcement of my unjust disqualification to participate in @OfficialAPCNg primary election in Edo State by the screening committee,” he said.

The Cable reports the governor will not appeal the outcome of the screening process.