A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election that resulted in the selection of Asue Ighodalo as the party's candidate for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.
In the ruling delivered on Thursday, the presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, held that the PDP primary held on 22 February failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the party’s constitution.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, which was filed by Kelvin Mohammed on behalf of aggrieved delegates allegedly loyal to Philip Shaibu, the impeached deputy governor, the plaintiffs sought two orders.
These orders included a directive for the defendants or their agents to show cause why the plaintiffs' reliefs in their originating summons should not be granted concerning the plan of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants to exclude them and 378 other delegates, whose names and election results are contained in “Exhibits BID 8A to 8L,” from participating in the 22 February primaries in Edo State.
The aggrieved delegates had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, its national secretary, and the vice-chairman, South-South, as the 1st to 4th defendants, respectively.
Justice Ekwo noted that although the 1st defendant, INEC, filed a memorandum of appearance in the suit, it was unfortunate that the commission did not file any process in the case.
He observed that the 1st defendant’s counsel only stated that it would be bound by the decision of the court.
