Edo 2020: Finally, Obaseki Defects To PDP

The much speculated and highly anticipated defection of Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took place on Friday.

He joined the opposition party at its State Secretariat in Benin.

The party announces Obaseki defection in a tweet on his official handle.

Obaseki had been disqualified from seeking reelection by the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) on the basis of disparities in his certificates.

Obaseki was received at Edo Secretariat of PDP by National Vice Chairman, Southsouth of the party, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, who was accompanied by Edo PDP chairman Dr. Tony Aziegbemi; members of the State Working Committee (SWC) and some chieftains of the party.

The reception of about ten minutes took place in Aziegbemi’s office.

But Obaseki did not speak to newsmen at the end of the ceremony.

The Governor was not accompanied by his deputy, Philip Shaibu but it was gathered he would be at the secretariat in Benin for formal defection later on Friday.

Obaseki, on Tuesday, resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed by Shaibu but PDP leaders are yet to approve the Deputy Governor’s request to be Obaseki’s running mate on the platform.

The three screened and cleared governorship aspirants of PDP in Edo Kenneth Imasuagbon, Gideon Ikhine and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama have vowed not to step down for Obaseki.

They said they would will slug it out at the primary where indirect mode would be used on June 23 at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.