The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday insisted that Dr Asue Ighodalo remains the party’s candidate for the 2024 elections, despite a judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja ordering otherwise.

The Edo PDP chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, in a statement on Thursday after the court ruling said that the court’s decision did not impact Ighodalo’s candidacy.

“The PDP is aware that certain elements, intimidated by the growing popularity of our candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, are spreading rumours about the nullification of his candidacy.

“Let it be clear that Ighodalo’s candidacy as our flag bearer for the 2024 elections remains unchanged, and the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja has no bearing on his candidature.

“We urge our loyal supporters to remain calm and steadfast, as there is no reason for concern,” Aziegbemi said.

The Guardian reports that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja High Court had on Thursday, July 4, 2024, voided the primary election, conducted on February 22, 2024, on the grounds that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote were unlawfully excluded by the PDP.

The judge nullified the primary election while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by the aggrieved delegates, represented by Kelvin Mohammed.

The court held that both the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the PDP Guidelines were violated in the conduct of the primary election at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.