LAGOS JUNE 14^TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has  affirmed that the embattled Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki  will not get automatic if he joins the party.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan who made the disclosure while in a telephone chat with the Nation said,  “Joining a party is different from contesting election. These are two separate things.

“People join political parties from their wards. We are in touch with our Edo State chapter and they have not told us that the governor had joined our party.”

He, however stated that the party will readily admit  Obaseki into its fold if he decides to join the  party.

The party spokesman however said Obaseki had yet to approach the PDP for membership as of the time he spoke with our correspondent at 6.57pm.

Three aspirants seeking the PDP ticket for the Edo election had already been screened, signaling the close of nominations.

Reports making the rounds on Friday indicated that the PDP had envisaged Obaseki’s eventual defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition party had prepared ahead for him.

A party source hinted the eventual winner of the PDP ticket might be persuaded to withdraw from the race for Obaseki on agreed terms.

The leadership of the PDP has always maintained that it would not hesitate to grant waivers to new entrants to contest elections, even on the day they joined the party.

Governor Obaseki was on Friday disqualified from seeking re-election on the platform of the APC as he was screened out by the party’s screening committee.

The Governor has said that he would not contest the decision.