The Federal High Court in Abuja has held that the February 22 governorship primary of PDP in Edo State, which produced Asue Ighodalo, is invalid.
Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the PDP’s decision to exclude 378 elected ward delegates from participating in the election was a violation of Article 50(3) of the party’s constitution. The suit was filed on February 8 by Kelvin Mohammed, Gabriel Oscy Okoduwa and Ederaho Osagie (for themselves and on behalf of the 378 ad hoc delegates whose names and election results appear on Exhibits BID 8A to 8L).
Listed as defendants in the suit were INEC, the PDP, the National Secretary and Vice Chairman (South-South). Justice Ekwo held that by the provisions of Article 53(3) of the PDP constitution 2017 (as amended), the 378 delegates, whose names and election results appear on Exhibits BID 8A to 8L, having been duly elected as ad hoc ward delegates in the February 4 congress organized by the panel sent by the second defendant (PDP), are legally entitled to be participants at the primary election of the second defendant to elect the governorship candidate.
However, the party said the judgment does not affect its Asue Ighodalo as he remains its governorship candidate for the September election. DG of the Governorship Campaign Management Council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, described the judgment as a rumour, saying the suit was filed by disgruntled persons.
