The disqualification of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State by the screening and appeal committees of the All Progressives Congress for the governorship primary has been upheld by the National Working Committee of the party.
The decision was announced by the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, after the NWC met to review the screening and appeal committees’ reports.
Oshiomhole said Obaseki, in addition to presenting faulty certificates, had abused his powers as Governor of Edo State by orchestrating the inauguration of only nine out of 24 members of the State House of Assembly.
He insisted that Obaseki frustrated moves to resolve the issue as he obtained court orders restraining the Senate President, the National Assembly and the reconciliation committee from intervening in the matter.
He stated further that the party’s constitution empowers the NWC to screen all aspirants for significant political positions, thus the move by the Committee.
“Part of the duties and responsibilities of the National Working Committee includes organising primary elections for the nomination of its presidential candidate, governorship candidate, and candidate for election into the national and state assemblies.
“So the responsibility to carry out this exercise is fully vested in the National Working Committee, and we have exercised these responsibilities to the best of our ability,” Oshiomhole said.
The NWC therefore cleared Hon. Pius Odubu, Mr. Osaro Obaze and Pastor Osagie Eze-Iyamu as the aspirants that will participate in the primary.
Recall that Obaseki was disqualified on Friday by the screening committee on grounds of certificate discrepancies before the appeal committee followed suit on Saturday evening.