Following the battle for Edo Governorship Election PDP Rejects Nullification of Ighodalo’s Primary Win, APC Invites Him to Defect
The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected a recent Court decision in Abuja that nullified the election of Barrister Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate for the upcoming September 21 governorship election. In response to this ruling, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended an invitation to Ighodalo, suggesting he defects to their party.
PDP’s Rejection of the Court Ruling
The PDP Campaign Organisation, through its Director-General, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, expressed strong disapproval of Justice Inyang Ekwo’s verdict in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/165 of 2024. At a press conference in Benin City, Iduoriyekemwen described the judgment as an unusual and contrary to established decisions by appellate courts on similar matters.
Iduoriyekemwen argued that the judgment does not invalidate the results of the PDP primary election, which declared Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, as winners. He assured the public that the party is confident the ruling will be overturned on appeal.
Background of the Court Case
The controversy arose from a lawsuit filed by individuals claiming they were legitimate delegates excluded from participating in the selection of the PDP’s flagbearer for the governorship election. In a surprising development, Justice Ekwo ruled that the issue of ward congresses and delegate selection is a matter for judicial review, contrary to previous appellate court decisions, which have maintained that these are internal party matters outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Iduoriyekemwen emphasized that the PDP and the specific court involved have a history of such disputes, where higher courts have consistently overturned similar decisions, reinforcing that ward congresses and delegate choices are internal affairs of political parties.
He clarified that the judgment did not challenge or invalidate the outcome of the party primaries held on February 22, 2024. Therefore, rumors suggesting that the primaries were nullified are false. He urged party members and supporters to stay calm and dismiss the misleading information spread by those he termed as “mischief makers.”
APC’s Reaction and Invitation
In a contrasting reaction, the APC, through Orobosa Omo-Ojo, Director of the Publicity Committee of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, welcomed the court’s decision. Omo-Ojo called on Ighodalo to join forces with the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to advance the state’s development. He stated that the disqualification of Ighodalo was seen by many in Edo State as a relief from what he described as “forgery and self-serving governance.”
Conclusion
The political climate in Edo State remains tense as the PDP gears up to appeal the court’s decision, while the APC seeks to capitalize on the situation by recruiting Ighodalo to their side. As events unfold, both parties are rallying their supporters and strategizing for the upcoming election. The outcome of the appeal and the decisions made by the key political players will significantly shape the future political landscape of Edo State.
