The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the forthcoming September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has hailed Thursday’s judgment by a Federal High Court in Abuja that nullified the primary that produced Peoples Democratic Party flag bearer, Asue Ighodalo.
The court, in its ruling, declared as invalid the poll that primary conducted on February 22, 2024, on the ground that 378 delegates registered to vote at the election were unlawfully excluded by the PDP.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo therefore invalidated the governorship primary in a suit instituted by the aggrieved delegates.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Okpebholo, said the judgement was a testament to the fact that the PDP is a lawless political party, incapable of conducting its internal affairs.
The senator further boasted that the APC remains the party to beat in the upcoming governorship polls.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Thursday, declared the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary election held on February 22, 2024, which produced Asue Ighodalo as its governorship candidate, invalid.
Justice Ekwo made this declaration while delivering judgment in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, brought by aggrieved delegates, notably Kelvin Mohammed, in a representative capacity.
The judge voided the primaries on the grounds that 378 delegates, who were supposed to vote, were unlawfully excluded by the PDP, contrary to the provisions of the law.
The court found gross violations of the Electoral Act 2022, PDP guidelines, and the party’s constitution in the conduct of the primary election held at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
According to the judge, the evidence presented by the PDP (Exhibit 1) was insufficient and lacked proof, indicating that the returning officers manipulated the result sheets.
Justice Ekwo emphasised that the plaintiffs successfully established their case against the defendants through the exhibits tendered.
Regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission, the first defendant in the suit, the judge noted that while INEC filed a memorandum of appearance, it did not submit any further processes in the case.
He stated that INEC’s counsel declared they would abide by the court’s decision and upheld the plaintiffs’ arguments.
“I find that the plaintiffs’ case succeeds on its merits,” Justice Ekwo concluded.
It is worth noting that the 378 ad-hoc delegates, loyal to the impeached Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, sued INEC, PDP, its National Secretary, and the Vice Chairman South-South as the first to fourth defendants.
