The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refuted recent media reports claiming that the Federal High Court nullified its primary election in Edo State. On Saturday, the PDP clarified that the Certified True Copy (CTC) of Justice Inyang Ekwo’s judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja confirmed that the primary election, which produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate, was not invalidated.
Judgment Clarification
The PDP emphasized that the judgment did not address the validity of Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, contrary to misleading media reports. The CTC document dispelled confusion arising from Justice Ekwo’s ruling, clarifying all misinterpretations.
Detailed Court Findings
The CTC document revealed that Justice Ekwo declared that the plaintiffs and 378 other delegates were lawfully elected and should participate in the primary election scheduled for February 22, 2024. The judge stated, “A Declaration is hereby made that by virtue of the provisions of Article 50 (3) of the Constitution of the 2nd Defendant (as amended in 2017), the Plaintiffs together with the other lawfully elected delegates, whose names and election results appear on Exhibits BID 8A to 8L herein, are the lawfully elected Ward Congress Delegates in their respective wards and by virtue of which the Defendants cannot exclude them from participating as 3 Ad-Hoc Ward Delegates at the Governorship primary election of Edo State slated for the 22nd of February, 2024 or any other date.”
Court Orders Compliance
Justice Ekwo further ordered the defendants to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the PDP’s Constitution regarding the participation of the elected delegates in the primary election. The ruling ensures that the plaintiffs and the other lawfully elected delegates are allowed to partake in the primary election.
Bottom Line
The PDP has debunked claims of its primary election being nullified, clarifying through court documents that the election of Asue Ighodalo and the involvement of the elected delegates remain valid as per the Federal High Court ruling.
