Edo Guber Crisis: Court Annuls PDP Orimary, Rejects Ighodalo’s Candidacy

Edo Guber Crisis: Court Annuls PDP Orimary, Rejects Ighodalo’s Candidacy....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The political landscape in Edo State was shaken as the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries that had Dr. Asue Ighodalo as its candidate for the upcoming September 21 election. Justice Inyang Ekwo, delivering the judgment, declared the February 22 primaries invalid under the Electoral Act 2022 and the party’s guidelines.

The verdict sparked varied reactions. While Edo PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, downplayed the impact, insisting Ighodalo remains their flagbearer, former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, who contested the primaries parallelly, hailed the decision as a vindication.

The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), jubilant over the ruling, advised Ighodalo to withdraw from the race. The court ruled in favor of plaintiffs representing excluded delegates, asserting PDP’s failure to comply with electoral laws. Despite reassurances from PDP’s campaign organization that Ighodalo’s candidacy remains intact pending appeal, Shaibu celebrated the court’s validation of his claims regarding the irregularities in the primaries.

The legal battle continues to evolve amidst political maneuvering ahead of the state elections, setting the stage for intensified electoral contests in Edo State.