Court Nullifies Edo PDP Governorship Primary Election

A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election in Edo State that produced Asue Ighodalo as its candidate.

The primary election, held on February 22, 2024, was voided because 378 delegates who were supposed to vote were unlawfully excluded by the PDP.

Justice Inyang Ekwo made this ruling in response to a lawsuit filed by aggrieved delegates, represented by Kelvin Mohammed.

The judge found that the Electoral Act 2022 and PDP guidelines were violated during the primary election at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

The judge criticized the PDP’s evidence, stating that the returning officers seemed to have fabricated the results without proper voting.

He also noted that excluding the 378 delegates violated the law.

Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the first defendant in the case, appeared in court, it did not submit any arguments, stating it would abide by the court’s decision.

Justice Ekwo concluded that the plaintiffs’ case was valid and succeeded on merit.

The three aggrieved delegates, on behalf of the 378 others, sued INEC, the PDP, its national secretary, and the vice-chairman, South-South.

The plaintiffs sought orders to prevent the defendants from excluding them from the primary election, arguing it would be unjust to do so.

The 381 delegates were supporters of Philip Shaibu, the impeached deputy governor.

Despite the court’s decision, the PDP in Edo State insists on Asue Ighodalo as their candidate for the September elections.

The PDP chairman in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, stated that the court’s judgment does not affect Ighodalo’s candidacy and urged supporters to remain calm.

“Let it be on record that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo as the flag bearer of the party for the 2024 elections remains intact and that the judgement of the Federal High court in Abuja did not in any way affect the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo,” the PDP chairman in Edo State Tony Aziegbemi said in a Thursday statement.

“We urge our teaming loyal supporters to remain calm and resolute as there is no cause for alarm.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Governor Godwin Obaseki dismissed any speculation of discord with his deputy, Hon Philip Shaibu, affirming his support for Shaibu’s gubernatorial ambition if he emerges as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.