A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared the February 22 governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, which produced Asue Ighodalo, as invalid.
Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the PDP’s exclusion of 378 elected ward delegates from the primary violated Article 50(3) of the party’s constitution. The suit was filed by Kelvin Mohammed, Gabriel Oscy Okoduwa, and Ederaho Osagie on behalf of the 378 ad hoc delegates.
The defendants included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, the National Secretary, and the Vice Chairman (South-South).
Justice Ekwo stated that the 378 delegates were duly elected and legally entitled to participate in the primary. He noted that the PDP failed to comply with its constitution and electoral guidelines, rendering the primary invalid.
Despite the ruling, the PDP maintains that Asue Ighodalo remains its governorship candidate for the September election.
PDP Chairman Dr. Tony Aziegbemi and National Spokesperson Debo Ologunagba affirmed Ighodalo’s candidacy. The Director-General of the Governorship Campaign Management Council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, described the judgment as a rumor, expressing confidence that it would not withstand appeal.
Iduoriyekemwen urged members and supporters to remain calm, stating that the party is actively pursuing an appeal and will address the judgment’s validity in due course.
