Obaseki clinches PDP ticket in Edo State with landslide victory as he secures over 96% of the vote

GOVERNOR Godwin Obaseki has emerged as the official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial elections after securing a landslide in the party's primaries yesterday.

After several weeks of bitter infighting that included legal action and the threat of the primaries being cancelled, the Edo State chapter of the PDP finally held its primaries yesterday. With several party members withdrawing their legal suits seeking to prevent Governor Obaseki from standing in the polls, the elections held with the governor sweeping to victory.

In a very one-sided contest, Governor Obaseki secured 1,952 out of total accredited votes of 2024, with just 72 being invalid. His name will now be forwarded to the National Independent Election Commission so he can stand as the official PDP candidate in the gubernatorial elections taking place on Saturday, 19 September 2020.

Already, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), so the stage is set for a fierce two-horse race. Reacting to his victory, Governor Obaseki said he would not disappoint the people of the state for the confidence reposed on him, adding that by the grace of God, he will be governor of Edo State for another four years.

Governor Obaseki said: "Today makes a defining moment for our dear state. With today’s election result, it is clear that there is no mountain. I thank my family for the encouragement and I salute all our party members for standing tall when it became necessary to do so.

"I almost quit running for a second tenure all because of overbearing god-fathers but the PDP cover provided us with the umbrella when it was heavily raining. Kenneth Imasuagbon and others made this possible."

Bauchi State's Governor Bala Mohammed, the chairman of the election committee, congratulated other aspirants who out of the overall interest of the party stepped down for the incumbent. He added: "I want to salute the courage of other aspirants who stepped down for my colleague, Governor Obaseki.”