The embattled Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, has thanked the people of his state for standing by him in his trying times.
Obaseki appreciated the people of the state for their “sustained show of solidarity, support and goodwill in the face of injustice” he said was meted out to him by the screening committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who banned him from contesting the governorship primary elections.
Obaseki, who posted his words of gratitude on his Twitter page, on Sunday, said, he would be making his next move known to the public after his consultations with his supporters and meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
He wrote: “I appreciate the sustained show of solidarity, support and goodwill from Edo people and Nigerians in the face of injustice by the @OfficialAPCNg screening committee. I will be making my next move known after I complete consultations with my supporters and meet with @MBuhari.”
Obaseki, had on Sunday, met with two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors.
His first meeting was with Governor Nyesom Wike at the government house in Rivers State, after which he left for another meeting with Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State at the Uyo government House.
It has been speculated that Obaseki is planning to defect from the APC and join the PDP, and his latest move is giving credence to claims, even, as the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC had ratified the disqualification of Obaseki from contesting the governorship primary election.
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The APC, had, on Saturday, approved the reports of its screening and appeal committees who disqualified Obaseki, Mr Matthew Iduoriyekemwe and Mr Chris Ogiemwonyi from participating in the June 22 governorship primary election in Edo State.
The party’s NWC led by its National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, made this known on Saturday at a news conference, in Abuja.
Oshiomhole said the NWC, which reviewed the two reports, noted with satisfaction that members of the committees were unanimous in their decisions.
“The party’s NWC has met and taken the final decision over the reports submitted by the two panels.
“The three aspirants disqualified were Gov. Godwin Obaseki, Chris Ogiemwonyi and Mr Matthew Iduoriyekemwen,” he said.
Oshiomhole said, the party’s NWC also approved the clearance of three aspirants, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Osaro Obaze and Dr Pius Odubu to contest the primaries.
He said that the NWC also approved expulsion of one of the governorship aspirants, Mr Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and a party member in Edo, Kenneth Asakomeh, who is a Deputy State Chairman.
The appeal panel headed by Prof. Abubakar Fari, had earlier upheld the outcome of screening committee while presenting its report to Oshiomhole at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
