Edo Governor, Obaseki Resigns From APC

Edo Governor, Obaseki Resigns From APC

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has formally resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor announced this on Tuesday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

He made the announcement four days after he was screened out and declared unfit to participate in the APC primary election ahead of the September 19 governorship poll in Edo State.

On Friday last week, the Screening Committee led by Professor Jonathan Ayuba submitted its report to the party’s leadership after it screened Governor Obaseki who is seeking re-election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and four other aspirants.

The other aspirants include Dr Pius Odubu, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Osaro Obazee, and Matthew Iduoriyekemwen.

While presenting the committee’s report, Professor Ayuba informed the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, and other chieftains at the party’s secretariat that Governor Obaseki and two others were screened out, but Ize-Iyamu and two other aspirants were cleared to participate in the primaries.

He explained that Governor Obaseki was disqualified on the grounds that his HSC and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates were “defective.”

The disqualification of the governor was criticised by some individuals and groups who alleged that it could be a fallout of the lingering dispute between him and his predecessor, Oshiomhole.

There have been speculations that Governor Obaseki may defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to realise his second term ambition, but the governor has yet to disclose his next line of action.