SUPREME COURT VERDICT: Why Obaseki Can’t Run For Governor Under PDP After Failed Attempt In APC

Godwin Erahon, a former Publicity Secretary of APC in Edo state has pointed Governor Godwin Obaseki to a potential roadblock as he aims to pursue his second term ambition under the PDP after a futile attempt in APC.

Erahon asked Obaseki to quickly draw wisdow from a similar situation involving a candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in Imo, as the aspirant’s defection to another party after failing to secure ticket in his previous party led the Supreme Court to declare his participation in the election an illegality.

The former APC chief said Obaseki is surrounded by swindlers who are urging him and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, to continue to pursue their gubernatorial ambition on the “wonky, expired and empty platform of the PDP.”

He said in a statement issued in Benin that the June 26, 2020 Supreme Court judgment in the case involving Chief Uche Nwosu of AA party, who participated in the party primary election of two different political parties in Imo State ought to have made Obaseki to have a rethink because of the illegality of the action.

He said: “The apex court crafted the judgment so explicitly as if it was meant for the duo of the governor and his deputy to understand what fate awaits them in the state.”

According to the former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state said, “The Supreme court nullified Uche Nwosu nomination in AA on the account that he had contested for nomination under APC.

“As if to explain itself further to the outgoing Governor, the Supreme Court elaborated on how the relevant law nullifies the PDP candidacy for their understanding when it elaborated thus:

‘The spirit of the law forbids anyone to contest for nomination under two or more parties in same election or even start the process of being nominated by procuring the nomination form.’ How does Gov Obaseki hope to escape the last clause?

He noted: “The clause has rendered the expired PDP governorship ticket a counterfeit. Obaseki procured APC nomination form, filled and returned same and to crown it up, attended APC screening which he failed. By the clause under reference, the Supreme Court seems to have told Obaseki to stop wasting his time and resources.

“So also does it sound a warning to Obaseki’s supporters that they are about bury themselves along with a dead body because they are blinded by temporary pecuniary sentiment.

“Whoever is being deceived by his neighbour may survive but whoever deceives himself is on a suicide mission. Let’s watch and see where desperation, cantankerousness and sadism are leading Governor Obaseki to. Like the Benin elders would say “hasty wrestling and fatal fall go together,” he stated.