A Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Ekwo has declared the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) primary election, which resulted in Asue Ighodalo becoming the candidate for the upcoming Edo State governorship election, as invalid.
Egalitarian Voice reports that the primary, held on February 22, 2024, was voided because 378 delegates who were supposed to vote were unlawfully excluded by the PDP. primary, held on February 22, 2024, was voided because 378 delegates who were supposed to vote were unlawfully excluded by the PDP.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo delivered the judgment, invalidating the primary election based on a suit filed by the aggrieved delegates.
The suit, marked THC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, was filed by Hon. Kelvin Mohammed on behalf of the excluded delegates.
Recalls that on February 22, Ighodalo, who is both a lawyer and an investment banker, clinched the position of the PDP governorship candidate after defeating his competitors in a primary election held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
It is widely believed that Governor Obaseki favoured Ighodalo, who received 577 votes to outdo the opponents, including Barrister Anselm Ojezua, Arthur Esele, Osaro Onaiwu, Martins Uhomoibhi, Hadizat Umoru, and Felix Akhabue, who all received zero votes. Additionally, six votes were nullified out of the 585 delegates who were accredited.
