Obaseki formally joins PDP and looks all set to be declared as its gubernatorial candidate

GOVERNOR Godwin Obaseki has formally joined the main opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just under a week after leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at a brief ceremony in Benin City.

In what has been a tumultuous week for the APC, Governor Obaseki resigned from the party after his application to stand for a second term as the party's gubernatorial elections due in September was rejected. He and party chairman Adams Oshiomhole have been involved in a bitter spat over recent years, resulting in the party's screening committee rejecting his application, saying his academic credentials were not in order.

Subsequently, Governor Obaseki resigned from the party and has obtained a PDP membership card. He is now expected to stand as the PDP candidate in the September elections against the APC, who are due to nominate their own governorship candidate on June 22.

Governor Obaseki announced his formal defection this afternoon at the PDP state secretariat in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Accompanied by a crowd of supporters, he was received by the state PDP chairman Hon Tony Aziegbemi and other party members.

Hon Aziegbemi said: "The governor of Edo State, His Excellency Governor Obaseki has defected to our great party.  The declaration was made this afternoon at the state secretariat of our party in Benin city, Edo State. Power to the people."

Receiving the party card which was presented to him, Governor Obaseki assured the party of cruising to victory come September this year. He added: "I believe in the party structure of the PDP from unit level to national level and I assure you as fellow party members, I will lead this party to victory."

Hon Aziegbemi added that the PDP being a democratic party will continue to believe in the new leadership of the party in the state which will be led by Governor Obaseki. Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission has slated September 19 for the Edo State governorship election.