Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Friday evening obtained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination and expression of interest form.

Obaseki formally joined the party on Friday afternoon and has shown his interest to contest for the governorship election under the party.

He and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, had earlier been granted a waiver by PDP to contest for elective offices on its platform.

Obaseki, who dumped the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday following his controversial disqualification from contesting the party’s primary election, picked up his PDP membership card at the party’s secretariat in Benin City, the state capital, yesterday afternoon.

Addressing party officials, the governor said he automatically becomes the PDP leader in the state following his defection.

Obaseki also reiterated his commitment to providing what he described as quality leadership, adding that he is ready to lead the party to victory in the September 19 governorship election.

After displaying his membership card, he said: “I automatically become the leader of this party. I want to assure all of you (that) I am prepared to provide leadership.

“I am prepared to provide leadership that will lead this party to victory. I am prepared to provide leadership that will not only put PDP into office in Edo State but as a ruling party in Edo State, we will make sure that the level of progress, growth and participation in the political system and our people is unrivalled in this country.

“I am very happy to be here. With the reception I have received since I drove in here has been ecstatic. The energy I see in this party is the kind of energy I require to take Edo to the level we should go to next.”

• Based on reports by Nigerian Tribune and Channels TV.