Indications emerged on Friday that embattled Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki may have finalised plans to defect to main opposition party in the state, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after his last efforts at securing the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket collapsed on Friday via his disqualification from the race.
To set the record straight, the governor emphatically declared that he won’t appeal the disqualification as it will amount to efforts in futility.
Recall that ThenewsGuru.com (TNG) had earlier last month reported that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was patiently waiting for a slip in APC to grab Obaseki.
Unconfirmed reports reaching TNG said Obaseki picked PDP card at ward 4 in Oredo Federal Constituency at about 6.46pm on Friday.
The PDP apparently relying on the Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue option of 2019 had gone to bed waiting for an APC slip.
Ortom after discovering that he may not get a guber ticket in APC had defected to.PDP 3 months to the election and rubbished APC in the election.
Meanwhile, the PDP on Friday said that the party will readily admit the embattled governor into its fold if he decides to join the main opposition party.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan confirmed this on Friday.
“Yes, we will accept him of course,” Ologbondiyan said.
Also, chairman of Edo PDP, Hon Aziegbeni while appearing on a national television programme on Thursday had said’ the party’s National Working Committee, NWC in its wisdom could grant Obaseki a waiver if he approaches the party.
With this window of opportunity, Obaseki could latch on it to run under the PDP umbrella signalling a tough battle in the election.
The three frontline contenders, in PDP, Engr Gideon Ikhine, Kenneth Imasuagbon and Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama may just pave the way for Obaseki to emerge as PDP flag bearer.
If this happens, Obaseki with a heavy war chest at his disposal may give Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu a toe-to-toe run during the September guber election.
It’s already in various media channels that 18 APC local government chairmen and their local government chairmen may defect to PDP any moment from now.