Asue Ighodalo
By Our Reporter
A Federal High Court on Thursday in Abuja voided the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, held that the PDP’s primary held on Feb. 22 failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022; the guidelines for the conduct of the poll and the party’s constitution.
The judge said that Exhibit PDP 1 tendered by the party was bereft of evidence, held that the plaintiffs, through the exhibits tendered, were able to establish their case against the defendants.
He added that from the exhibit presented by the PDP, he found that the returning officers who prepared the result sheets only sat down in a place to manufacture the outcome, of the poll.
He said the exclusion of the 381 delegates, including the plaintiffs, was against the provisions of the law.
Justice Ekwo held that, though INEC, the 1st defendant, filed a memorandum of appearance in the suit, it was unfortunate that the commission did not file any process in the case.
According to the judge, the 1st defendant’s counsel only said it would be bound by the court’s decision.
“I found that the case of the plaintiffs succeeds on merit,” he said.
●●●Details later
