In a significant ruling on Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit filed by impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shuaibu, and others seeking to nullify Asue Ighodalo’s nomination as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.
Justice James Omotosho, delivering the judgment, stated that the suit was statute-barred, having been filed outside the 14-day period permitted under Section 285(9) of the Constitution for pre-election cases.
The plaintiffs had challenged Ighodalo’s nomination on the grounds that he allegedly forged his voter’s card.
Justice Omotosho further noted that even though forgery or the non-possession of a voter’s card is a disqualifying factor under Section 182 of the Constitution, the plaintiffs failed to provide sufficient proof that Ighodalo had forged his voter’s card as alleged.
This ruling effectively clears the path for Asue Ighodalo to remain the PDP candidate in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election, reaffirming the court’s stance on adhering to constitutional timelines and evidentiary requirements in pre-election matters.