A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election held on February 22, 2024.
The primary had produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, in his judgment on Thursday, stated that the primary election did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the guidelines for the conduct of the poll, and the party’s constitution.
Justice Ekwo noted that Exhibit PDP 1, tendered by the party, lacked evidence and that the plaintiffs had successfully established their case against the defendants through the exhibits presented.
The judge criticized the process, finding that the returning officers who prepared the result sheets had merely fabricated the poll outcomes. He highlighted that the exclusion of 381 delegates, including the plaintiffs, was against the law.
Justice Ekwo also mentioned that although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the first defendant, filed a memorandum of appearance, it did not file any substantive process in the case. INEC’s counsel indicated that the commission would abide by the court’s decision.
“I found that the case of the plaintiffs succeeds on merit,” Justice Ekwo concluded.
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
