Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday night, resumed talks with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to negotiate a possible defection and how he can obtain the party’s ticket after it became clear that he has been rejected by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
After last night’s meeting in Abuja, Obaseki arrived Benin city to continue the marathon meetings – first with a handful of disgruntled members loyal to the Obaseki/Shaibu Movement in Edo South Senatorial District. As at the time of filing this report, Obaseki was neck-deep in another round of meeting in government house.
The embattled Governor held a meeting with the leadership of the PDP in Abuja after his session with the APC Screening Committee where he failed to justify the discrepancies spotted in his academic credentials and the heavily criticized gazette he recently signed to prevent the party from conducting its direct primary.
However, presenting new problems to the Governor, the Edo State Chapter of the PDP has disassociated itself from the reportedly arranged meetings with national leaders of the opposition party just as Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike and former State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih vehemently objected to his defection.
It was learnt that former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi has bought into Obaseki’s defection plans.
Obaseki who is reportedly perfecting a plan “B” with a relatively unknown party; African Action Congress (AAC) is also reported to have reached out to other Governors elected on the platform of the PDP to mount pressure on the aspirants of the party in Edo State to step down for him and grant him a special waiver as the party’s candidate for the governorship election fixed for September.
Gideon Ikhine, Ogbeide Ihama, Kenneth Imansuangbon are the aspirants vying for the PDP’s ticket in Edo State. Obaseki’s task, should he finalize his decamp to the party, would be convincing the three aspirants, alongside other party members, to step down their ambition for him.
Another hurdle that has plagued the defections talks is the choice of a running mate. According to several reports, prior to the emergence of the three aspirants, the PDP had told Obaseki to nominate a running mate from their rank and drop the bad-tempered Philip Shaibu.
Meanwhile, a group of some Deltans in Benin City led by Mr Nnamdi Patrick has described as abysmal failure ploy by the National Chairman of All Progressive Congress ( APC) Mr Adams Oshiomhole to scuttle the second term willingness of Governor Goodwin Obaseki, saying” Oshiomhole is wicked and Edo people should not allow him to have his way and destroy the state, Obaseki has done very well and he should be allowed to complete his eight years, Oshiomhole will be disgraced by the grace of God”
Virtually all nooks and crannies in the state are seen in group of people discussing in hush hush tones what would be the fate of the election since Adams Oshiomhole has refused to shift grounds
Palpable tension seems to have been hanging in the air as Suspected Cultists and those regarded as” marksmen” have taken over the state for possible bloodbath if the right things are not done to restore the glory of the state and the ruling Party.