Court Gives Verdict on PDP Governorship Primary Tussle in Edo
- Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo state, has been affirmed as the authentic winner of the party's primary
- Justice James Omotosho of the federal high court in Abuja affirmed the candidature of Ighodalo while delivering the verdict on the suit filed by the state's former governor, Philip Shaibu
- The court ruled that Ighodalo was duly elected as the candidate of the PDP for the forthcoming governorship election in Edo
The Federal High Court in Abuja has confirmed Asue Ighodalo as the legitimate governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state.
Justice James Omotosho gave the ruling in a suit filed by Philip Shaibu, Ighodalo's political rival, challenging his nomination.
The court held that Ighodalo was duly nominated at the PDP primaries in Benin City on February 22, 2024. He scored 577 votes to defeated Shaibu and 10 other aspirants. The judge dismissed Shaibu's opposition to Ighodalo's nomination.
In a statement sent to Legit.ng, Ighodalo, a prominent Lagos-based business lawyer, is widely seen as the frontrunner in the gubernatorial election scheduled for September 2024. It is unclear if Shaibu plans to appeal the court's decision.
Edo: Court clears way for PDP candidate
The ruling affirms Ighodalo's candidacy and clears the way for him to contest the election. The PDP and Ighodalo's supporters will welcome the decision, while Shaibu and his camp may consider their next legal steps.
Shaibu, a former deputy governor described as a grassroots politician in the oil-rich state, started having issues with Governor Godwin Obaseki, who was alleged to be against his guber ambitions.
After the party's primary, Shaibu was accused of anti-party activities and subsequently suspended from the PDP.
Meanwhile, the former deputy governor has yet to make an official statement about leaving the party.
Ayodele predicts winners in Edo, Ondo polls
Legit.ng earlier reported that Primate Elijah Ayodele shared prophecies concerning the Edo and Ondo state governorship elections scheduled for September and November 2024.
The cleric said the PDP would not retain its seat in Edo after the election, adding that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would overcome all odds to remain in power in Ondo.
Ayodele also predicted that there would be high level of corruption under President Bola Tinubu's administration.
Proofreading by James Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng