BREAKING! Obaseki officially joins PDP

Obaseki picked up his PDP membership form on Friday

As Nigeria Today predicted on Thursday, embattled Governor Godwin Obaseki has eventually bitten the bullet and joined Nigeria’s opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The Governor, who also announced his defection on Twitter on Friday, said his goal remains providing good governance to the people of Edo State.

“I have officially joined the @OfficialPDPNig to advance my ambition to seek re-election as Governor of Edo State. I, as always, remain committed to engendering good governance and sustainable development of our dear state,” the Governor said.

This move comes after he fell out with the powers that be in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, resulting in his disqualification from seeking reelection under the party’s platform.

The Governor picked up his PDP membership card at the party’s secretariat in Benin City, the state capital today (Friday).

It was learnt that the Governor met the PDP governors to perfect his defection to the opposition party following his resignation from the APC.

Another meeting is expected today between Obaseki and major leaders of the party.

Recall that following the crisis, the Governor was forced to resign from the party. His Deputy, Philip Shaibu also followed suit with his resignation, alleging that APC’s former National Chairman Oshiomhole had hijacked the party.

Also, read Why I am joining Obaseki to dump APC – Philip Shaibu

Nigeria Today had reported that Obaseki had been making moves to defect to the opposition party as he had earlier this week met with one of the party’s most powerful strategist and financier, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

Sources from the grapevine had told Nigeria Today that Obaseki and his supporters may defect en masse to the opposition before the end of today (Friday), as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had given all the political parties contesting in the September election 10 days to conclude their primary elections.

Okowa welcomes Obaseki

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Friday welcomed Obaseki into the PDP fold.

In a tweet, Okowa wrote: “I welcome my brother, Governor Godwin to our great party, the People’s Democratic Party! As you join us on this platform, we shall work to ensure that you continue the great work that you have started for the people of Edo State.”