The state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, Mr Tony Aziegbemi, says there will be no automatic ticket for Gov. Godwin Obaseki being expected to join the party fold along with his cabinet members.
Gfhnews reports that the All Progressives Congress ( APC) screening committee on Friday disqualified incumbent governor Obaseki and two others ahead of the party’s primary on June 22.
Gfhnews also reports that Obaseki plans to dump APC for PDP ahead of the party primaries.
Aziegbemi said ” I can confirm to you that the governor, his deputy and the entire APC structure in the state will be joining the PDP soon.
“We have been in touch in the last few days, by tomorrow, I will be able to confirm the exact date he will be joining with his team.
“But for the governor obtaining our membership card, I am not aware of that yet and I can also say there is no automatic ticket in the offing at all.
Meanwhile, a governorship aspirant of the PDP, Mr Ken Imasuagbon said he was welcome to open contest, provided his opponents would be ready to subject themselves to the party rules and regulations.
Imasuagbon said he was adverse to Obaseki’s planned move to the party, but added that he would resist any attempt to hand over the party’s ticket to him ahead of the state governorship election on Sept. 19.
The PDP aspirant said Obaseki would have to join the queue as other aspirants and go through the party’s primaries billed for June 19 and June 20.
According to him, “Any attempt to hand the party’s ticket will be meant with serious resistance. Infact, there will be no PDP primaries or whatever if the party’s leadership tries it.
“This is neither a military coup nor military rule; the governor must subject himself to the party’s primaries.
“He will need to queue with the other aspirants if he wishes to join the race, but will certainly resist handing him over the ticket automatically.
“Have you heard before that somebody will join a party and within three days he will be given the ticket. Did he buy the party’s nomination form, was he screened? he asked rhetorically.
