The Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling by Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Federal High Court in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 has clarified that there was no order invalidating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election in Edo State.
The court ruling explicitly ordered the inclusion of 378 delegates as part of the 3 Ad-Hoc Ward Delegates to participate in the primary election on February 22, 2024.
The clarification addresses previous misinterpretations and confirms the validity of the primary election and the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie Esq.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo stated:
“The Plaintiffs and the other 378 delegates, whose names and election results appear on Exhibits BID 8A to 8L were elected and to allow the Plaintiffs and the 375 other lawfully elected delegates to participate in the primary election of February 22, 2024.”
He further declared:
“A Declaration is hereby made that by virtue of the provisions of Article 50 (3) of the Constitution of the 2nd Defendant (as amended in 2017), the Plaintiffs together with the other lawfully elected delegates, whose names and election results appear on Exhibits BID 8A to 8L herein, are the lawfully elected Ward Congress Delegates in their respective wards and by virtue of which the Defendants cannot exclude them from participating as 3 Ad-Hoc Ward Delegates at the Governorship primary election of Edo State slated for the 22nd of February, 2024 or any other date.”
Additionally, the judge ordered:
“An Order is hereby made directing the Defendants who are bound by the provisions of Section 82 of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Article 50 (3) of the 2nd Defendant’s Constitution (as amended in 2017) to abide by the outcome of the 3 Ad-Hoc Delegates Ward Congress of February 4, 2024, at which the Plaintiffs and the other 378 delegates, whose names and election results appear on Exhibits BID 8A to 8L were elected and to allow the Plaintiffs and the 375 other lawfully elected delegates to participate in the primary election of February 22, 2024.”
Justice Ekwo further emphasized:
“An Order of Mandatory Injunction is hereby made restraining the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants from unlawfully excluding the Plaintiffs and the other lawfully elected delegates whose names and election results appear on Exhibits BID 8A to 8L herein, from participating as 3 Ad-Hoc Ward Delegates in the Governorship election primaries of the 2nd Defendant slated for the 22nd of February, 2024 or any other date.”
This ruling confirms that the primary election process remains valid and lawful, dispelling any confusion from previous misinterpretations of the court’s judgment.
