Editor’s note: Please note that this story has been updated with a footnote to reflect the latest development on the issue.
The odds seem to be stacked against Governor Godwin Obaseki and his ambition to return for a second term. With news reaching Nigerians early Tuesday that the Edo Governor has been restrained by a Court order from participating in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primaries, it is clear that all is not going well for him.
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt gave the order that Governor Godwin Obaseki would not be allowed to participate in the PDP governorship primary scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2020.
FHC sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained Governor Godwin Obaseki from participating in the PDP guber primary. The suit was instituted by an aspirant Omoregir Ogbeide-Ihiama asking the court to stop the governor who just decamped to the party from participating in the primaries pic.twitter.com/7fqEuckhqz
— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) June 22, 2020
According to the court documents currently circulating on the internet, the lawsuit FHC/PH/CS/69/2020 filed by a Member of the House of Representatives who is also a leading governorship aspirant on the platform of the party, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama included Prince Uche Secondus, Emmanuel Ogidi, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Chief Debekeme Boyleyefa, Senator James Manager, Hon. Barr. Ajibola Muraina, People Democratic Party, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.Reports say that he had earlier refused to step down from the race for Governor Obaseki, and as such went further to ask the courts to stop Obaseki from participating in the race.
Ogbeide-Ihama had filed the case on the grounds that Obaseki did not purchase the form for the party’s primary election within the stipulated window, hence he should not be allowed to partake in the primaries. He also raised concerns about the validity of Obaseki’s certificates.
Governor Obaseki who had been denied a chance to run for the primaries in his former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), joined the opposition PDP with the hope of a better chance at achieving his second term dream. However, with the current turn of events, things are going south for the aspirant.
Nigerians commented on the new development with surprise, asking how a court in Port Harcourt could restrain a candidate for an Edo state election.
https://twitter.com/geniusvinze/status/1275352278849986561
He left Edo and went to Rivers to get a court order. Does Obaseki live in Portharcourt. The matter will just be thrown away for lack of jurisdiction
— Mazi Darlington Okore F.R.C (@darlynofficial) June 23, 2020
Supporters of Governor Obaseki however insist that their preferred candidate will comfortably get the party’s ticket.
https://twitter.com/ubolojo_/status/1275348201902682112
There were also naysayers who mocked Obaseki, saying his relevance in Edo politics has come to an end.
#Obaseki would have saved himself this trouble if he had gone down the #ambode route Now he’s finished totally #EdoIsNotLagos really
— Ogbeni D (@adeduntan) June 23, 2020
obaseki how market?
— Wonder's Connect (@limicent) June 23, 2020
With the primary election still scheduled to hold on Thursday, it is expected that much could change given the Governor’s influence and acceptance by National leaders and fellow Governors elected on the platform of the party.
Reports have revealed however, that the earlier narrative about the Governor being barred from contesting in the PDP Primaries were inaccurate as the prayer was not granted. Before adjourning the matter until Wednesday for hearing of the summon, Justice Emmanuel Obile ordered that the parties in the suit should be served through substituted means in two national dailies.
https://twitter.com/coretvnewsng/status/1275460648034545664?s=20
Court refuses to bar Obaseki from participating in PDP primaries https://t.co/we31x3RAKk #vanguardnews pic.twitter.com/b5weWJULcv
— Vanguard Newspapers (@vanguardngrnews) June 23, 2020
