Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has been disqualified from contesting in the All Progressives Congress governorship primary in the state scheduled for June 22, 2020.
Announcing his disqualification along with two other contestant on Friday, the screening committee of the party declared that he was unfit to contest in the exercise to choose who would bear the party’s ticket for the forthcoming governorship election.
The screening committee said its decision was based on some discrepancies in his educational certificates and NYSC.
Gov. Obaseki has been locked in an open and bitter contest against Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s national chairman whose influence looms considerably over Edo politics.
Oshiomhole is believed to support Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the party’s candidate in the election.
Others also disqualified are Hon. Matthew Iduoroyekemwen and Egnr. Chris Ogiemwonyi.
The committee however cleared Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu, Dr. Pius Odubu and Hon. Osaro Obazee.
It would be recalled that the management of the University of Ibadan had earlier confirmed that Obaseki, graduated from the institution despite allegation of a certificate forgery.
The university in a statement signed by its Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi O Faluyi during said Obaseki gained admission to the University in 1976 and graduated in 1979 with a Second Class Honours, Lower Division.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, Obaseki, had criticized each other over the first-degree certificate presented by the governor from the University of Ibadan.
Oshiomhole, in Abuja at the inauguration of the APC’s screening and appeal committees for its members contesting governorship primary in Edo State, expressed doubt over the authenticity of Obaseki’s UI certificate.