From the exhibit presented by the PDP, the returning officers who prepared the result sheets only sat down in a place to manufacture the outcome of the poll.”
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has faulted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate in the forthcoming election in Edo State.
381 delegates loyal to Philip Shaibu, the impeached deputy governor of the state, had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, its national secretary and the vice chairman, south south as 1st to 4th defendants respectively challenging their exclusion from participating in the primaries.
The plaintiffs, which include Hon Kelvin Mohammed, Mr Gabriel Okoduwa and Mr Ederaho Osagie, on behalf of others in 12 local government areas and 127 wards, averred that it would be in the interest of justice for their reliefs to be granted.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, June 4, 2024, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the PDP’s primary held on February 22 failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 which stipulate guidelines for the conduct of the poll and the party’s constitution.
Justice Ekwo noted that Exhibit PDP 1 tendered by the party was bereft of evidence, adding 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, the returning officers who prepared the result sheets only sat down in a place to manufacture the outcome of the poll.
Going further, he added that the exclusion of the 381 delegates, including the plaintiffs, was against the provisions of the law.
According to him, 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.