Headline: Court Invalidates Edo PDP Governorship Primary.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, declared the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary election held on February 22, 2024, invalid. This primary had produced Asue Ighodalo as the governorship candidate.

Delivering judgment in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, brought by aggrieved delegates led by Kelvin Mohammed, Justice Ekwo voided the primaries due to the unlawful exclusion of 378 delegates, in violation of the Electoral Act 2022, PDP guidelines, and the party’s constitution. The primary election took place at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.

The court highlighted insufficient evidence from the PDP and indicated manipulation of result sheets by the returning officers. Justice Ekwo confirmed the plaintiffs’ success in establishing their case through the exhibits presented. Notably, INEC, the first defendant, did not submit further processes in the case and agreed to abide by the court’s decision.

The suit, initiated by delegates loyal to the impeached Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, sought orders to include the excluded delegates in the primary election. The plaintiffs argued for justice to be served by granting their reliefs.