The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, nullified the February 22, 2024 governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, which produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate for the September 21 governorship election.
While the opposition All Progressives Congress jubilated over the court decision, the PDP called for calm among its members, expressing confidence that the judgment would be overturned at the Court of Appeal.
Justice Inyang Ekwo declared the PDP primary invalid while ruling on a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 filed by the trio of Kelvin Mohammed, Gabriel Okoduwa and Ederaho Osagie on behalf of themselves, among 378 delegates from across 12 local government areas and 127 wards of the state.
The judge said the primary stood nullified because of the illegal exclusion of 378 delegates who should have participated in the indirect primary held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
The 378 delegates are believed to be loyalists of the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, who emerged winner at a parallel governorship primary conducted on the same day.
Justice Ekwo held that the exclusion of the 378 delegates was a violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, PDP Guidelines, and the party’s constitution.
The judge said the evidence presented before the court by the plaintiff established that the Returning Officers manipulated the result sheets.
The judge said though the Independent National Electoral Commission, listed as the first defendant in the suit, filed a memorandum of appearance, it did not submit any further processes in the case.
“I find that the plaintiff’s case succeeds on its merits,” he ruled.
In a swift reaction to the judgment, the PDP in Edo State urged the party faithful to remain, saying Igbodalo would still participate in the election.
The Edo PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, said, “The PDP is aware that certain elements who are scared of the soaring popularity of our candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, are going about peddling rumours that the candidature of Asue Ighodalo has been nullified.
“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 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja did not in any way affect the candidature of Ighodalo
“We urge our teaming loyal supporters to remain calm and resolute as there is no cause for alarm.”
However, the opposition APC received the news of the Abuja judgment with jubilation.
In a statement on Thursday, the Director, Publicity Committee of the APC Campaign Committee, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, said the party welcomed Justice Ekwo’s verdict.
He said, “The news of the disqualification of Mr. Asue Ighodalo as the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate has been received by the Edo people as relief from imposition of forgery and continuation of self-serving governance in our state.
“The APC, as a progressive party, is calling on Ighodalo to join hands with Senator Monday Okpebholo to retake the state and reset it for prosperity.
“What is more important at this point is the interest of Edo people who are eagerly waiting for solutions that will ensure food security, accessible and affordable healthcare, and a thriving economy.”
On his part, the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, hailed the judgment in a statement issued in Abuja.
Okpebholo said, “We welcome the court judgment given on Thursday. The court has saved Edo people from another four years of pain and agonies. The PDP is not a democratic party. It operates like a mafia organisation. What they call primaries were a far cry. The party, with just two months to a crucial election, is unable to put its house in order.
“Our administration is committed to bringing the good old days back. Since the exit of Senator Adams Oshiomhole as governor of Edo State, our people have not had any reason to celebrate. That will change in September when the people will take power back through the ballot.”
Okpebholo said Thursday’s judgment, “Edo people can clearly see that the PDP is a chaotic party and can’t be allowed to continue to lead our dear state.”
He said the people must rally around the APC to win the September 21 governorship poll so as to align Edo State with the APC-led Federal Government.
“Edo State has been cut off from the centre for far too long. We can see this from the level of abandonment. We need to return Edo State to the centre and enjoy all the benefits that we truly deserve. We are optimistic,” he said.