The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has emerged the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2020 governorship election, polling 1,952 votes to win the party’s primary election.
A total of 2,234 delegates from the 192 wards and 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State participated in election with Governor Obaseki as only candidate on the ballot after three other candidates backed out of the contest.
Announcing the result of the shadow election, Chairman of the PDP Edo Primary Election Committee and the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, declared the governor the winner of the contest after winning over 90 percent of the available votes.
In his statement, Governor Obaseki expressed appreciation to all those who made his election as the PDP guber candidate possible.
He noted, “I express my heartfelt gratitude to our great party, the @OfficialPDPNig, the leaders, delegates, members and all Edo people for the opportunity to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming governorship election. God bless you all.”
Obaseki emergence takes him to the governorship election of September 19 when he will sick re-election for a second term.
Ahead of the primaries which held in Benin City, the Edo state capital on Thursday, Obaseki was facing an uncertain fate as co-aspirant, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama had approached a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt seeking the disqualification of the governor from participating in the primaries.
However, it was gathered that the National Working Committee (NWC), of the party led by Prince Uche Secondus as well governors elected on the platform of the PDP succeeded in pacifying Ogbeide-Ihama who few hours to balloting dropped of the contest and urged his supporters to rally behind Obaseki.
With that, Obaseki was fated to face businessman cum politician, Kenneth Imasuangbon but following the intervention of the various organs of the party, the aspirant toed the line of others and pledged to work together with Obaseki in the interest of the party.
Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees, BoT of the PDP on Thursday congratulated Governor Obaseki for his victory, urging all and sundry to work together to deliver the state to the party in September.
In a statement by its Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, the BoT called for formidable unity among party members so that PDP will emerge the ruling party in 2023.
The Board of Trustees also congratulated the NWC of the party and the PDP governors for their tireless efforts in bringing Obaseki into the party fold.
He also thanked the state executives and other members of the BoT for their efforts in sustaining the party.
The statement reads: “On behalf of over 100 PDP BoT members, who serve as the conscience of the party, I wish to sincerely congratulate first the entire people of Edo state inclusive of all political parties, especially members of our party PDP who encouraged Governor Obaseki to quickly move to PDP.
“My biggest congratulations go to Governor Obaseki who quickly understood the All Progressives Congress, APC dirty game in their effort to mock and disgrace him.
“I want to appeal to the leadership and all members of PDP to continue to make our party strong and more united in our efforts to govern Nigeria come 2023. The party should shun actions that will not bring progress. The BoT is ever ready to work with party members especially our NWC and governors.
“We congratulate all the South-South governors for producing all PDP governors from their zone and appeal to other governors to do the same.
“I want to assure the party and all members that BoT is one and united and is ever ready to carry out its responsibilities as the conscience of the party.”
