ROAD TO EDO STATE PRIMARY ELECTION AS GOV OBASEKI IS BEEN DRAGGED FOR ALLEGED FORGED CERTIFICATE AND ONE OF HIS MINISTER RESIGNS.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has been dragged before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over an alleged forged certificate and perjury.

In the originating summons sighted by Daily Independent, the plaintiffs are Edobor Williams, Ugbesia Abudu Godwin and Amedu Dauda Anakhu while the defendants are the All Progressives Congress (APC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inspector- General of Police (IGP) and Governor Godwin Obaseki.

This is coming after  it was reported earlier this week that five other interest was recorded for the Edo State governorship poll under the All Progressives Congress (APC), they all have submitted their expression of interest and nomination forms ahead of the primary election slated for June 22.

The aspirants are the current Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Osaro Obaz, Dr. Pius Odubu, Matthew Iduoriyekemwe, and Chris Ogiemwonyi.

Emma Ibidiro who is the National Organising Secretary received the interest and nomination forms on behalf of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) between Monday and Wednesday.

Recall that the party had said each form will cost N22.5 million. Going by that figure, it is expected that the party realized N135 million from the sale of the forms.

Well, the entire money wasn’t spent on purchasing the interest and nomination form alone. According to the report, N2.5 million was meant for Expression of Interest Form and N20 million for the Nomination Form earlier where also the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission insisting that the party has chosen the direct primary mode for the selection of its candidate for the Edo State governorship poll.

In a letter which was dated May 19, 2020, addressed to INEC Chairman, Oshiomhole said the party had put in place measures to ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

An acknowledged copy of the letter sighted by our correspondent in Abuja, on Wednesday, said the party’s decision was in full compliance with the APC constitution and the Electoral Act.

The letter captioned “Notice of intention to conduct direct primary for the Edo State Governorship Election,” read in part, “I convey to you my compliments and wish to respectfully inform you that the All Progressives Congress has decided to conduct direct primary for the Edo State Governorship Election on Monday, 22nd of June, 2020.

“To this end, we have put in place modalities to ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 prevention guidelines as announced by the COVID-19 Presidential Task Force and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

“Therefore, direct primaries will be conducted in one hundred and ninety-two (192) wards.”

“We, accordingly, invite you as observers of the primaries with full compliance with All Progressives Congress Constitution and the Electoral Act.”

Likewise 

The Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Barr. Paul Ohonbamu, has just resigned his appointment.

The Commissioner tendered his resignation in a letter exclusively obtained by Igbere TV on Thursday, which was addressed to the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

He said he has “decided to step aside as a cabinet member and operate outside it for the general good of Edo State and pursuit of happiness for the citizens.”

Ohonbamu’s resignation comes barely a month after the governor’s ex-Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele walked away, amid the trend of high-profile exit from the Obaseki-administration

Reliable sources in the Government House say several other senior aides, including serving Commissioners, are planning their exit ahead the Edo 2020 governorship election.

The latest resignation comes weeks to the Edo All Progressive Congress (APC) primaries, in which Obaseki is seeking to fly the party's ticket in the September 19 governorship election.

The, governor, however, have top contenders to battle to clinch the APC ticket, including a former Secretary to State Government and Peoples Democratic Party 2016 governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Rumours are rife that the now resigned Commissioner had pledged loyalty to Adams Oshiomhole, Obaseki’s estranged godfather and national chairman of the APC. Both Obaseki and Oshiomhole have been at loggerheads for some time now.

We keep our fingers crossed as more deed unfold .