Godwin Obaseki, the state governor of Edo State, will contest the Edo governorship election despite being disqualified by his present party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) in a bid to actualize his re-election bid.
The governor was disqualified from participating in the primary of the ruling party where its governorship candidate will be chosen for the September 19 gubernatorial election.
Two other aspirants were also disqualified in the race that had six aspirants including the governor. However, Osagie Ize-iyamu and two other aspirants scaled the screening and are expected to slug it out on June 22.
In a chat with TODAY POLITICS, a close aide to the governor described the development as injustice and insisted that his principal is currently exploring other options left in his bid to actualize his re-election bid.
“My principal will contest the September election, take that from me,” the source who pleaded anonymity said.
“Expect his exit any moment from (the APC) now. He already knew he was not going to get justice as long as that comrade (Adams Oshiomhole) is still the one piloting the affairs of the APC,” he added.
When asked which political party the governor was making plans to defect to, the aide refused to disclose, saying “its too early to tell you but consultations are ongoing.”
Meanwhile, the governor has said it will be effort in futility attempting to appeal the decision of the screening panel which ousted him.
“It is unfortunate that this open show of shame, illegality and travesty of justice is the brand of democracy which Comrade Oshiomhole has reduced the APC into. The situation is quite saddening because this is a party supposedly reputed for change, equity and social justice,” a statement signed by his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, partly read.
“We have therefore decided that it would be effort in futility to appeal whatever the unjust outcome of the evaluation and screening process of the APC will be, especially when Comrade Oshiomhole has declared that he is the Supreme Court and ultimate determiner of the fate and future of our great party.
“We wish Oshiomhole luck in his maladministration of the party and trust that the Almighty will help our country to find the path to true liberty, freedom and justice.
“We call on all party members and the teeming supporters of Governor Obaseki to remain calm and await further directives.”
