The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed satisfaction with the Federal High Court’s judgment in Abuja, which confirmed the nomination of Asue Ighodalo as its candidate for the upcoming Edo State governorship election, scheduled for September 21.
The ruling was delivered by Justice James Omotosho, who upheld Ighodalo’s nomination and dismissed a lawsuit filed by Philip Shaibu. Shaibu had contested the legitimacy of Ighodalo’s nomination as the PDP candidate in the case marked CS/469/24. The court concluded that Ighodalo was correctly nominated during the party’s primary held on February 22, 2024, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. Ighodalo won the primary decisively, securing 577 votes and defeating Shaibu along with 10 other aspirants.
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho found the plaintiff’s case to be without merit. He noted that Shaibu and his legal team failed to present sufficient evidence to support their claim that Ighodalo had forged his voter’s card. Furthermore, the court determined that the case was statute-barred and therefore dismissed it.
Following the court’s decision, the PDP released a statement through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, praising the judgment as a validation of the party’s democratic process. The statement highlighted that the court’s ruling confirmed that the party’s governorship primary was conducted fairly and transparently.
The PDP emphasized that the “landmark judgment which upheld the PDP Edo State governorship primary held on February 22, 2024, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin as victory for democracy, rule of law and a well-founded affirmation of the propriety and credibility of the election and PDP’s internal democracy.”
The party also noted the enthusiastic response from the people of Edo State. “The spontaneous jubilation across Edo State at the news of the judgment reaffirms the PDP’s candidate, Ighodalo, as the undisputed preference of the majority of the people in the coming governorship election,” the statement read. The PDP sees this as a strong indication of the people’s confidence in Ighodalo’s candidacy and the party’s ability to deliver good governance.
Debo Ologunagba reiterated that the judgment was a testament to the fairness of the PDP’s primary election process, which ensured that all aspirants had an equal opportunity to contest. “The party notes that the judgment further validates the fact that all the aspirants at the governorship primary were accorded a level playing field in the governorship primary that produced Ighodalo as candidate.”
The judgment marks a significant milestone for the PDP as it prepares for the forthcoming election. The party believes that the court’s decision will not only bolster the confidence of its members but also demonstrate to the electorate that the PDP is committed to upholding democratic principles and the rule of law.
The PDP’s confidence in its internal processes and the judiciary’s affirmation of those processes are seen as key factors that will enhance its prospects in the governorship election. The party is gearing up for the final stages of its campaign, with plans to further consolidate support for Ighodalo and ensure that his message reaches every corner of Edo State.
As the election date approaches, the PDP is focused on presenting its agenda to the people of Edo State, highlighting Ighodalo’s vision for the state’s development and progress. The party is also calling on all its members and supporters to unite and work tirelessly to secure a resounding victory at the polls.
The PDP’s leadership has assured that it will continue to operate within the framework of the law and maintain a transparent and accountable approach in all its activities. The party is confident that these principles will resonate with the electorate and ultimately lead to success in the governorship election.
In conclusion, the Federal High Court’s judgment affirming Asue Ighodalo’s nomination as the PDP candidate is a significant victory for the party. It validates the party’s commitment to democratic ideals and sets the stage for a robust and dynamic campaign leading up to the September 21 election. The PDP is optimistic about its chances and is determined to work diligently to ensure that Ighodalo emerges victorious, reflecting the will of the people of Edo State.
