Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has pleaded with the embattled governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in order to seek a second term.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the All Progressive Congress (APC) disqualified Obaseki from participating in the governorship primary election on the ground that his credentials are defective.
The governor has, however, vowed he would not appeal the disqualification, but Atiku wants him to join the party.
According to TheCable, Atiku contacted Obaseki on Friday after he was disqualified by the APC and he is also making way for “soft landing” for Obaseki should he defect to the party which is the main opposition in Edo.
Although the PDP constitution requires any member of the party seeking elective position under its platform to at least be registered for 18 months, it gives room for a waiver.
A source close to Atiku said that the PDP chieftain discussed Obaseki’s likely defection with some governors in the PDP.
“The Waziri (of Adamawa Emirate which Abubakar was turbaned in 2018) is wooing Obaseki on behalf of PDP. He spoke with him yesterday and encouraged him to join the PDP,” the source said.
“He also spoke to some of the PDP governors and urged them to give him a soft landing and access to the party.”
