The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that despite the Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which nullified the primary election that selected Dr. Asue Ighodalo as its candidate, his position as their candidate for the September 21 gubernatorial election remains secure.
On Thursday, the Federal High Court in Abuja, under the adjudication of Justice Iyang Ekwo, invalidated the PDP governorship primaries in Edo State. According to a report by Punch, the court ruled that the primary election held on February 22, 2024, was nullified due to the improper exclusion of 378 delegates who were supposed to participate in the voting process.
This ruling suggests that the PDP currently does not have a candidate for the forthcoming gubernatorial election on September 21, 2024, in Edo State.
However, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the PDP Chairman in Benin-City, emphasized in a statement: “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 Dr. 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 Dr. Asue Ighodalo. We urge our teeming loyal supporters to remain calm and resolute as there is no cause for alarm.”
In reaction to the court's decision, the All Progressives Congress (APC) called for collaboration between the PDP candidate and their own candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for the betterment of Edo State. The APC’s statement, issued by Orobosa Omo-Ojo, the Director of Publicity of its Governorship Campaign Council, declared: “Earlier today, a Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Ekwo nullified Edo PDP governorship primary held on February 22nd, 2024 by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”
Omo-Ojo continued, “The news of the disqualification of Mr. Asue Ighodalo as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate has been received by Edo people as relief from imposition of forgery and continuation of self-serving governance in our state. APC as a progressive party, is calling on Mr. 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 affordable healthcare, and thriving economy.”