All hope is lost for the APC in its attempt to disqualify the Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, from contesting in the upcoming election. The APC’s legal action was dismissed by Justice Peter Lifu on Friday evening.
Court Ruling
The APC filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to oust Ighodalo from the gubernatorial race. Justice Lifu, agreeing with the arguments presented by Ighodalo’s lawyer, Chief Akinlolu Kehinde, deemed the suit frivolous, baseless, and unwarranted, leading to its dismissal.
Background of the Case
The APC argued that a prior judgment from the same court, which questioned the validity of the primary election that produced Ighodalo, should be used to disqualify him. However, Justice Lifu clarified that the Federal High Court could not serve as an appellate court in its own judgment. Furthermore, he upheld Kehinde’s assertion that the judgment the APC relied on had been voided and set aside by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Judge’s Observations
In his ruling, Justice Lifu characterized the APC as a “busybody” and a “meddlesome interloper” for intervening in the internal affairs of the PDP. He dismissed the suit for being frivolous and lacking in merit and substance.
Details of the Initial Suit
The APC’s request was based on a suit marked THC/ABJ/CS/165/2024. On July 4, Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the PDP was incorrect in excluding 378 delegates from its February 22 primary election that resulted in Ighodalo’s nomination. However, Justice Ekwo did not declare the primary election invalid. Relying on this finding, the APC filed a new suit to disqualify Ighodalo, naming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Asue Ighodalo, and the PDP as defendants.
