BENIN (Sundiata Post) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the Court of Appeal following Monday’s judgement affirming the nomination of Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate in the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election in Edo State.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the main opposition party hailed the court’s “courage in upholding justice”.
Reports that Justice A.M. Lamido-led three-man panel dismissed the case brought before it by the reinstated Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, upholding the ruling of the trial court which affirmed Ighodalo as the valid candidate for the Edo gubernatorial election.
The Federal High Court had ruled that the appellant did not satisfy the condition precedent (internal dispute resolution mechanism) before instituting the action and therefore declared that the suit was premature.
Upholding the judgement of the trial court, the panel held that the suit was premature, noting that the position of the lower court was unassailable.
The court awarded a cost of N1 million against Shaibu and in favour of Ighodalo, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and two others.
In its reaction, the PDP said the award of cost by the Appeal Court against the appellants in favour of Ighodalo and respondents is an emphatic judicial rebuke against frivolous and vexatious court proceedings aimed at frustrating the outcome of a legally conducted democratic exercise of a political party.
“The PDP describes the judgment as another landmark ruling which further strengthens democratic practice, validates the credibility of PDP nomination process and reinforces the Will and aspiration of the people of Edo State as embodied in the candidature of Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
“Our Party notes that with the verdict of the High Court and reaffirmation by the Appeal Court, both in favour of the PDP and its candidate, it is clear that Dr. Asue Ighodalo was duly and rightfully nominated as candidate; that he has no qualification issues and that the litigations against his candidature were all designed to distract the PDP and frustrate the Aspiration of the people of Edo State,” the statement reads in part.
The PDP restated its call on the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo to step down from the race and “face the issues of alleged forgery of voter’s card and birth documents which has further imperiled the APC governorship campaign”.
