The political atmosphere in Edo State has become increasingly tense following the Federal High Court's decision to nullify the primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming governorship election.
According to a report by AIT Live, the judgement delivered on Thursday in Abuja, declared the PDP primary election invalid, a ruling that has sparked varied reactions from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP camps.
Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate for the September 21 governorship election, celebrated the court's decision, viewing it as a significant victory for his party.
"The court’s judgement is a clear indication that the APC is the party to beat in the upcoming governorship polls," Okpebholo stated in a press release. He emphasized that the ruling underscores the APC's commitment to democratic principles and urged Asue Ighodalo to withdraw from the race, suggesting that he had been misled by Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The Federal High Court's decision, delivered by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, found that the primary election conducted on February 22, 2024, was flawed due to the unlawful exclusion of 378 delegates who were supposed to vote.
Justice Ekwo ruled that this exclusion violated both the Electoral Act 2022 and the PDP's guidelines, rendering the primary election void.
Despite the court's ruling, the PDP remains defiant. Anthony Aziegbemi, the Edo State PDP Chairman, insisted that Asue Ighodalo remains the party’s candidate for the governorship election.
In a statement responding to the court's decision, Aziegbemi suggested that the ruling was influenced by those intimidated by Ighodalo's growing popularity. He reassured party members that Ighodalo's candidacy is intact and urged them to stay calm and resolute.
The Edo State PDP Governorship Campaign Organisation echoed Aziegbemi's sentiments, describing the judgement as an unusual development that contradicts established legal precedents.
"The judgement is contrary to a long line of Appellate Courts’ decisions on this matter," the Campaign Organisation stated. They argued that the issue of ward congresses and delegate selection falls within the internal affairs of political parties, beyond the jurisdiction of any court.
The Campaign Organisation also highlighted that the court's decision did not directly challenge the validity of the primary election's outcome, which produced Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie.
They expressed confidence that the ruling would be overturned on appeal, asserting that the legal team was already taking steps to challenge the decision.