In a unanimous decision, Justice Musali JCA ruled in favor of Ighodalo, stating that the delegates who challenged the PDP primaries lacked the necessary standing, and therefore, the lower court lacked jurisdiction to nullify the primaries. The ruling, delivered in suit CA/ABJ/CV/764/2024, reaffirms Ighodalo’s candidacy.
The Abuja Court of Appeal has upheld the nomination of Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State.
In a unanimous decision, Justice Musali JCA ruled in favor of Ighodalo, stating that the delegates who challenged the PDP primaries lacked the necessary standing, and therefore, the lower court lacked jurisdiction to nullify the primaries. The ruling, delivered in suit CA/ABJ/CV/764/2024, reaffirms Ighodalo’s candidacy.
The Appellate court further clarified that, according to Section 84 (14) of the Electoral Act, only aspirants who participated in the primary election have the legal standing to challenge its outcome. Ad hoc delegates, not being aspirants themselves, lack the requisite locus standi to initiate legal action, as the matter pertains to the internal affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“They are delegates and not aspirants. Delegates do not have any locus to challenge the process of the primary election,” the court held.
As a result, the Appellate Court validated the February 22 PDP primaries in Edo State, confirming Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming September 21 Governorship Election in Edo State.