Apparently rattled by the Abuja forces behind the consensus agreement that produced Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the APC candidate for forthcoming gubernatorial election, Governor Godwin Obaseki has started negotiations with the People Democratic Party – PDP in Edo State to move in and secure an automatic ticket if his current party stops his rollover for second term at the primaries.
In a well fortified factional meeting in Abuja on Tuesday Pastor Ize-Iyamu was screened and chosen as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo by former Edo Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen; Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe; ex-Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, Thomas Okosun; former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie; ex-member of the House of Representatives, Patrick Obahiagbon and the current Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives, Peter Akpataso under the Chairmanship of Senator Francis Alimikhena, the representative of Edo North Senatorial District.
Considering that the National Chairman of All Progressive Congress Adam Oshiomhole with whom they are at dagger drawn for over two years running may have negative impact on his return as Governor in 2nd term, Obaseki has started negotiating with PDP in Edo State to consider a waiver and allow him stand the election against APC on their platform.
Explaining the position of his party over Governor Obaseki’s fate on Channels Television on Thursday, the PDP Chairman in Edo Mr. Tony Aziegbemi said his party’s door was open for the embattled incumbent Governor to join. But insisted that Obaseki will still go through the rigor to reach out to delegates to explain to them why he should be given the ticket if the National Working Committee NWC grants him the waiver.
Horse trading, negotiations, consultations and lobbying is in high frequency in Edo State, as the fate of Governor Godwin Obaseki hangs on an uncertain balance in APC and in his next choice the PDP whose structure is almost dilapidated and needs critical emergency treatments to survive if he finally chooses it.
