PDP Appeals Court Decision Nullifying Gubernatorial Primary Election in Edo State

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja challenging a recent ruling that invalidated the primary election which selected Asue Ighodalo as the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the 2024 elections in Edo State.

The appeal, lodged against the Federal High Court’s decision on July 4, 2024, cites 25 grounds and seeks to overturn the judgment delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo.

Justice Ekwo had nullified the February 22 primary election, citing the exclusion of 378 elected ward delegates from participating, which he deemed a breach of the party’s constitutional provisions and electoral guidelines.

In their appeal, represented by Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN), PDP argues that the lower court’s decision lacks merit and is unsupported by substantial evidence. They maintain that the primary election was conducted in accordance with party regulations, despite the exclusion of certain delegates.

PDP seeks the Court of Appeal’s intervention to set aside the ruling and dismiss the case, asserting that their actions during the primaries were lawful and compliant with electoral laws and internal guidelines.

The appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CV/2024, lists several respondents including Kelvin Mohammed, Gabriel Okoduwa, Ederaho Osagie, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and PDP officials.

The party aims to reverse the judgment and proceed with their chosen gubernatorial candidate for the impending election in Edo State.