The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said no court has sacked Mr Asue Ighodalo as its governorship candidate for Edo State.
The party in a statement soon after the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo which declared Ighodalo’s candidacy as invalid blamed “certain elements” for what it called “rumours”, as no court invalided its candidate.
Justice Ekwo had earlier on Thursday delivered judgment in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, brought by aggrieved delegates, notably Kelvin Mohammed, in a representative capacity, voiding the primaries of the PDP on the grounds that 378 delegates, who were supposed to vote, were unlawfully excluded by the PDP, contrary to the provisions of the law.
The court said it found gross violations of the Electoral Act 2022, PDP guidelines, and the party’s constitution in the conduct of the primary election held at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
The judge said the evidence presented by the PDP (Exhibit 1) was insufficient and lacked proof, indicating that the returning officers manipulated the result sheets.
He concluded, “I find that the plaintiffs’ case succeeds on its merits.
But a statement signed by the PDP Chairman, Edo State Chapter, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, said Nigeria “is aware that certain elements who are scared of the soaring popularity of our candidate Dr Asue Ighodalo are going about peddling rumours that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo has been nullified.
“Let it be on record that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo as the flag bearer of the party for the 2024 elections remains intact and that the judgement of the Federal High court in Abuja did not in any way affect the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo,” the PDP stated.
The party urged “our teaming loyal supporters to remain calm and resolute as there is no cause for alarm.’