Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has granted a waiver to its new entrant, Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to take part in the party’s activities.

National chairman of the party, Mr Uche Secondus, made this known on his verified Facebook page.

“PDP NWC in exercising the power of NEC in accordance with the PDP constitution met and approved the waiver as requested by the ward executive for His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki to participate in all activities of the PDP including voting and be voted for in any intra party elections,” Secondus said.

The party’s spokesperson, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, confirmed the development via a statement Friday. He also announced that the party has postponed its primaries from June 23 to 25.

Obaseki had Yesterday joined PDP at an elaborate ceremony in Benin, the state capital.

He was disqualified by his former party, All Progressives Congress, from seeking re-election allegedly for submitting questionable certificates.

The Edo governor later announced his resignation from APC.

THE WAIVER

According to Ologbondiyan, the part’s decision to grant Obaseki was pursuant to relevant sections of its constitution.

“The action of NWC is pursuant to Section 29(2)(b) of the PDP constitution and in exercise of the powers of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under Section (50)(3)(b) of the PDP constitution,” he said.

“NWC in exercise of the above powers has ratified the application for waiver by the ward, local government and state executives of the party in Edo state and accordingly grants waiver to Governor Godwin Obaseki to enable him contest the gubernatorial primary of the PDP.”

“Also the NWC has further shifted the Edo state governorship primary from an earlier slated date of Tuesday, June 23 to a new date of Thursday June 25, 2020.”

Ologbondiyan said the postponement was predicated on “exigencies of party activities.”

PT