Former deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has said the Abuja Federal High Court ruling voiding the governorship primary of the PDP in the state vindicated his earlier statement that the party did not conduct a proper primary election.

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He said: “I said it from day one that I have the authentic delegates and they voted for me on the day of the primary.

“I said that what happened that day at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was a like a birthday party or a wedding reception because the real people that were supposed to vote were not there but with the court now I have been vindicated.

“I have been vindicated and I salute the judiciary. This is victory is for Edo people, it is for democracy and by the grace of God, we will take our state back from outsiders.”

The Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to a Federal High Court judgement voiding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate.

The Federal Court Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, voided the party’s governorship primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the governorship candidate of the party.

In a statement signed by Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo JP, Director of the APC Governorship Campaign Council’s Publicity Committee, the APC urged Ighodalo to join the party’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

READ ALSO: Edo Guber: Why Court Voided PDP Primary, Ighodalo’s Candidacy

“The APC, as a progressive party, is calling on Mr. Ighodalo to join hands with Senator Monday Okpebholo to retake the state and reset it for prosperity,” the statement read.

The APC emphasized that the primary concern now is the welfare of the Edo people.

The party outlined its commitment to addressing key issues such as food security, accessible and affordable healthcare, and fostering a thriving economy.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Edo Guber: Court Voids PDP Primary Election

“The court’s ruling underscores the judiciary’s role in maintaining democratic principles and ensuring fair electoral processes.

“As Edo State prepares for the upcoming governorship election, the APC aims to leverage this momentum to end what it terms as the “eight locust years of PDP misgovernance,” the statement added.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Edo State, which produced Asue Ighodalo as the candidate of the party in the September 21st governorship election in the state.

The PDP’s primary election was nullified by the court in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Thursday.

Here are some of the reasons the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja nullified the primary election of the PDP in Edo State.

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The court held that the primary poll the PDP held in the state on February 22, failed to meet the requirements of the Electoral Act 2022, guidelines for the conduct of the poll as well as the Constitution of the party.

Justice Ekwo held that evidence that was adduced before the court established that Ighodalo did not emerge through a valid process.

He held that exhibit that was presented by the PDP showed that the returning officers that prepared the result sheets merely sat at a place to manufacture the outcome of the poll.

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The court held that the outcome of the said primary poll amounted to a nullity.

The judgement followed a suit that was brought before the court by three aggrieved plaintiffs, on behalf of 378 ad-hoc delegates that ought to have participated in the primary election.

Cited as 1st to 4th defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, were the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the PDP, its National Secretary and the Vice Chairman, South South.

Justice Ekwo, who held that he found merit in the case of the plaintiffs, noted that INEC failed to file any process in the matter, saying it would abide by the judgement of the court