by Toluwanimi Onakoya

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Barely four days after incumbent Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, was controversially disqualified from contesting in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections, as a result of festering disagreements between himself and the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, political events in the state seem to be assuming a new trajectory.

Following the disqualification of the Governor by the APC Screening Panel on Democracy day, which it said was due to discrepancies in his educational certificates and Youth Service Certificate, a good number of Nigerians frowned at the action, stressing that the event showed no sign of democracy in Nigeria at all.

Things seem to have reached a boiling point as Obaseki announced that he has resigned from the party, with political watchers predicting a move to the opposition, People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Announcing his resignation, He even went as far as to threatening to quarantine any Governor that steps into the state for the APC Gubernatorial Primary Election.

Many were quick to praise the Governor for making the move rather than taking things” lying down” as Former Lagos Governor; Akinwunmi Ambode had done. They drew lines of comparison between both candidates, as Ambode had also been controversially denied a chance to run for a second term at the general elections by the APC.

Godwin obaseki dumping APC speaks a lot, he is not Ambode and he will do everything possible to make sure that APC primary election does not hold in EDO

— Adenekan Mayowa (@Mayorspeaks) June 16, 2020

Breaking: Godwin Obaseki has dumped the APC. He is not a coward like Ambode, he will make sure APC don't hold their primary in Edo State???. pic.twitter.com/xgA8FT0iV8

— OONI OF ABUJA? (@Deji_OoniAbj) June 16, 2020

Something tells me Godwin Obaseki may survive the hit and complete a second term as governor of Edo state.

— Newman?? (@NewmanWokne_Eze) June 16, 2020

Godwin Obaseki is a very smart man, things will likely work in his favor after all.

— El Gozy (@Kenny_Pharez) June 16, 2020

 

The current events as it appeared to have highlighted a problem with the internal democracy in the APC according to many, and they harped on the fact that godfatherism remains a significant issue in Nigerian politics.

The disqualification of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki by the APC screening committee was very unfortunate. This scenario has shown that APC's internal party democracy has been destroyed by overzealous politicians within the party. pic.twitter.com/0ZlNLvh4Hg

— Balla (@BallaYerima11) June 12, 2020

I Stand with Godwin OBASEKI? Say No To GODFATHERLiMS? Say No To Agboro pic.twitter.com/ZSlQ6Y3I0a

— edosfestus (@festus79osa) June 10, 2020

 

Others were quick to dismiss Obaseki’s efforts as a complete waste of time, advising that he should have meekly stepped down and that, even with his defection he would not win with the opposition party.

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki renounced his membership from APC after meeting President Buhari.
If I was him, I would have stayed back and jejely step down from contesting. Because he will still lose. pic.twitter.com/CRfOCwCgbY

— S T EF O R D❁ (@odun42000) June 16, 2020

The development has also made some Nigerians to pointedly describe the current parties as “thieves” and discouraged Nigerians from being invested in the situation either way.

 

State chairman of the PDP, Honourable Tony Aziegbemi has however said there will be no automatic ticket for Obaseki, should he join the opposition party.

We believe Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki is being maltreated by his party. If he comes over to ours, we could give him a waiver but no automatic ticket – Mr Tony Aziegbemi, Edo @OfficialPDPNig chairman on @sunrisedailynow

— Sunrise Daily (@sunrisedailynow) May 28, 2020