The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the primary election which produced Asue Ighodalo as its gubernatorial candidate for the 2024 election in Edo State.
The PDP’s appeal, which is based on 25 grounds, was filed on July 9, 2024. The party is seeking to overturn the July 4 decision made by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Justice Ekwo had declared the PDP primary election held on February 22, 2024, invalid due to the exclusion of 378 elected ward delegates, which he found to be a violation of the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.
In the appeal, filed by PDP’s National Legal Adviser Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN), the party contends that the lower court’s decision contradicts the evidence presented. The PDP maintains that it conducted a fair and lawful primary election and that the delegates who participated were duly elected through the appropriate processes.
The respondents in the appeal are Kelvin Mohammed, Gabriel Okoduwa, and Ederaho Osagie (representing the 378 ad-hoc delegates), along with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Secretary of the PDP, and the Vice Chairman of PDP South-South.
The PDP argues that the lower court erred in its judgment by granting the reliefs sought by the respondents without sufficient evidence. The party asserts that the exclusion of the 378 ward delegates from the primary election was justified as they did not participate in the ad-hoc ward congresses conducted on February 4, 2024.
Additionally, the PDP emphasizes that Asue Ighodalo was elected as the party’s gubernatorial candidate by duly elected delegates, and the process complied with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines. The party further argues that the Federal High Court’s judgment is not supported by law and calls for the appellate court to set it aside.
The PDP is seeking an order from the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal, set aside the judgment of the lower court, and dismiss the entire suit for lack of jurisdiction.
This appeal underscores the PDP’s determination to uphold the integrity of its primary election process and to ensure that its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, remains the party’s nominee for the upcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State.
