By Akinwale Kasali
The road to a political realignment began on Sunday when the embattled Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State travelled to PH, Rivers State, to meet with Governor Nyesom Wike.
Obaseki has just been disqualified by his party, the APC, from taking part in the June 22 Primaries during which the party will pick a candidate for the Governorship election. His disqualification, even though wrapped and presented in the guise of his educational qualification, is a direct consequence of his bitter quarrel with his political godfather, Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the APC.
Rejected and orphaned by his party, Obaseki is desperately looking for a platform on which he would contest the governorship election.
The PDP seems the most attractive platform, and though it had been reported that he had registered with the PDP in his Oredo Ward 4, it is not official. And he is still consulting.
On Sunday, June 14, he said he would make no move until he meets with President Muhamnadu Buhari. But apparently, in his fight for political survival, he thinks that, at least, one person should be met before his appointment with the President is confirmed.
The person is Wike, the strong man of the PDP.
Even though the reason for their meeting is not known, it is not likely to be far from Obaseki’s political future, and his imminent, official, decampment to the PDP.
Obaseki’s trip to PH, came a day after he fired a warning, that his government would clampdown on any gathering of more than 20 people. Those at such gatherings, he warned, would, also, be prosecuted.
He told political parties planning to hold their governorship primary elections that restriction on gatherings of over 20 persons is still in place in the state.
The restriction, he said, is to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state.
The Governor said this while giving an update on COVID-19 situation in the state via his Twitter handle on Saturday.
Not a few people think that his warning, though proper, is aimed at his enstranged party, the APC. The APC has scheduled to hold its primary on June 22, using the Direct Primary method. Obaseki, before he was schemed out, wanted the indirect primary method.
The top political parties in the State, the APC and the PDP have scheduled their primaries for June 22 and 19 respectively. But the PDP may, likely, shift its date to accommodate Obaseki.
While the APC adopted the direct primary, PDP would be conducting its primaries using the indirect method.
Obaseki said, “In view of the upcoming elections and to reduce infection transmission rates during political gatherings, I have issued a gazette that provides guidance on how political parties can conduct their activities.
“There remains a restriction on gatherings for more than 20 persons. However, where higher numbers of persons are required to gather, permit with specified location, guidelines and supervision may be granted by the @EdoStateGovt.”
The governor, also, said schools remained closed in the state, adding that: “In line with the Presidential Task Force recommendations for States, the curfew starting from 10.00pm to 4.00am still subsists.
In another development, the PDP is presently in talks with Governor Obaseki over the conditions listed for him to get their tickets for the Edo State Governorship Election.
The PDP, according to sources, has directed Governor Obaseki to meet with the three governorship aspirants already screened by the party’s screening committee for the primary.
The three screened PDP aspirants are Gideon Ikhine, Ogbeide Ihama and Kenneth Imansuangbon. One of them has been so vocal, insisting that he would not step down for the governor.
But the PDP National Working Committee and other stakeholders in the State are said to be working round the clock to pacify him.
