Court Strikes Out Suits Challenging PDP’s Edo State Governorship Primary Election

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has struck out two separate suits challenging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the governorship candidate for the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial poll.

The court ruled that the plaintiffs, who came from the political camp of former Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shuaibu, lacked the legal standing to institute the suits.

In delivering judgments on Tuesday, Justice Ekwo stated that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate sufficient, direct, and tangible personal interest that could warrant the nullification of the primary election.

The first suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/195/2024, was filed by Adizetu Umoru, while the second suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/196/2024, was filed by Moses Alabi and Christopher Oboarer.

The plaintiffs had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Umar Damagu (acting national chairman), Setonji Koshoedo, PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), and its National Executive Committee (NEC) as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

They sought an interim order to restrain the defendants from using the list of ward congresses held on February 4 for the PDP’s primary in Edo State, scheduled for February 22, or any other date pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.

However, Justice Ekwo ruled that the plaintiffs did not establish how their individual interests were affected or jeopardized by the primary election.

He noted that they did not clarify whether they were eligible to participate in the election but prevented or whether wrongdoings were displayed during the election.

The court’s decision brings clarity to the legal challenges surrounding the PDP’s primary election in Edo State, paving the way for Asue Ighodalo to continue as the party’s candidate for the gubernatorial poll.