The substantive case barring Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki from participating in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Edo state will be adjudicated upon today.
This is in furtherance of an earlier order granted which bars the Edo state governor from participating in the primary by a Federal High Court in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on the subject matter.
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Today’s hearing is therefore expected to deliberate on the substantive matters to determine the issues canvassed in the suit filed by Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama. Ogbeide-Ihama, a federal legislator is among other things, is seeking a total disqualification of Obaseki from participating in the primary election slated for Thursday.
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Recall that Gov Obaseki was granted a waiver by the PDP recently after he joined the opposition party from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The suit was instituted by one of the governorship aspirants of the PDP, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who had vowed not to step down for Mr Obaseki.
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A major reason stated by Mr Ogbeide-Ihama was that Mr Obaseki recently joined the party and only those who purchased the forms during the stipulated window should be allowed to participate in the primary election.
Just like Mr Obaseki’s former party, the APC, Mr Ogbeide-Ihama also questioned his educational credentials. Mr Ogbeide-Ihama also prayed that the primaries be put on hold pending when the court would hear the motion on notice.
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The judge, E. A Obile, asked that the order seeking to bar Mr Obaseki be served on the defendants including Mr Obaseki via newspaper publications.
Obaseki was barred by the court from contesting the election. Recall that Gov Obaseki joined the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday after he was disqualified by his former party, APC, from seeking re-election allegedly for submitting questionable certificates.
