- The appellate court had clarified that under Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act, only aspirants have the right to challenge a primary election.
- It also noted that Ad hoc delegates are not considered aspirants and thus do not have the locus to sue, as the matter falls under the internal affairs of the PDP.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed its delight at the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which reaffirmed Asue Ighodalo’s candidacy for the Edo State governorship election slated for September 2024.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, made this known in a statement released on Monday.
This verdict is seen as a resounding victory for the democratic process and the rule of law, as it frustrates the attempts of anti-democratic forces to undermine the people’s will in Edo State.
The statement reads in part “The Appeal Court judgement again validates the credibility of the PDP nomination process which produced Asue Ighodalo as its candidate.”
“This effectively shut the mouths of purveyors of lies and falsehood in the APC who are confused and frustrated by Asue Ighodalo’s soaring popularity and acceptance by the people of Edo State including key APC members who are publicly declaring support for the PDP candidate
“The spontaneous jubilation across Edo State at the news of the judgement is a resounding testament of the overwhelming support of the majority of the people in the state which further signposts the forthcoming sweeping victory by Dr Asue Ighodalo whose personality and manifesto embody the collective vision and aspiration of the people of Edo State.
“The APC, its candidate, Monday Okpebholo and his propaganda team, led by Adams Oshiomhole should therefore read the handwriting on the wall and come to terms with the fact of the crushing defeat that awaits them at the poll.
“The APC should know that the people of Edo State have made up their minds on Dr Asue Ighodalo as the next governor of their state and cannot be swayed by the propaganda, lies, manipulations by the APC whose candidate is practically empty, purposeless, uninspiring and has nothing to offer to Edo State.”