Former deputy governor, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu, has welcomed the recent Federal High Court ruling that nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election in Edo State. Shaibu stated that the court's decision vindicated his earlier assertion that the primary was flawed, as reported by Vanguard.
In a phone conversation, he emphasized that he had always maintained he possessed the genuine delegates who voted for him on the day of the primary. Shaibu described the event at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium as more like a social gathering than a proper election because the rightful voters were absent. Now, with the court's ruling, he feels vindicated.
Shaibu said, “I said that what happened that day at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was a like a birthday party or a wedding reception because the real people that were supposed to vote were not there but with the court now I have been vindicated.”
He added that this victory belongs to the people of Edo and democracy. He expressed confidence that with divine intervention, they would reclaim their state from external forces.
The Federal High Court in Abuja invalidated the February 22, 2024 primary election that declared Mr. Asue Ighodalo as the PDP governorship candidate. The court found that 378 delegates were unlawfully excluded from voting, ruling on a lawsuit filed by Hon. Kelvin Mohammed on behalf of the aggrieved delegates.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, in delivering the judgment, highlighted significant violations of the Electoral Act 2022 and PDP guidelines during the primary held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the capital of Edo State.