Edo Guber: Obaseki Boasts Of APC Governors' Support As PDP Colleagues Pray For Him

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Saturday said that he still enjoys the support and sympathy of Governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) despite defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This is even as the PDP Governors’ Forum in a statement on Saturday, by its Director-General, Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum told Obaseki “As you subject yourself to the forthcoming primaries of the party, we wish you success and God’s blessings and guidance”. 

Obaseki spoke at the National Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja shortly after he was screened for the June 25 governorship primary election of the PDP.

While pointing  out that his support base cuts across party lines, he said,  "I thank God that I enjoy national support not just from my colleagues from the APC. I think the support is national. There are elder statesmen who are apolitical, there are traditional rulers.

“I have people from different spectrums of the society who come around to support. Generally, I think Nigerians are generally fair-minded people. They are people who do not accept injustice.

“From what I have seen over the past several weeks and months, the support is just across board. It is not just from APC governors alone.”

The Governor stated that contrary to tales woven by his former party around his certificates, he presented same to the screening committee without any issue arising thereof.

“The screening was fair, it was very professionally done. You could see objectivity and I presented all my certificates- my secondary school, higher school, university and my National Youth Service Certificates, so that they can look at them and see if there are inconsistencies in them," he said. 

Meanwhile, the Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal-led PDP Governors’ Forum assured Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu alongside their teeming supporters, who joined the party on Friday, of accommodation and level playing field.

Obaseki formally joined the PDP on Friday, following his exit from the APC, and was granted waiver by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to contest the primaries ahead of the Edo governorship election slated for September 19. The PDP governorship primary in Edo State is slated for Thursday, June 25th.

“We welcome you to the PDP Governors’ Forum under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR and all other PDP Governors in the Forum.

“Your entry into the PDP family is a homecoming to a democratic platform that accommodates all Nigerians desirous of good governance, accountability and deepening of democratic tenets.

“The PDP Governors welcome you to use the PDP as a vehicle to enthrone rapid economic, social and infrastructural development of Edo State.

“As you subject yourself to the forthcoming primaries of the party, we wish you success and God’s blessings and guidance.

"The Forum extends the solidarity and support of your colleagues to you and all of your teeming followers into the party and assures you all of accommodation and level playing field," the PDP Governors' Forum said.