A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the impeached deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shaibu, over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary.
Shaibu is seeking a nullification of the February 22, 2024 PDP governorship primary election which produce Asue Ighodalo as winner.
Shaibu also held a parallel primary election at his residence on February 22 which he was declared winner.
He had asked the PDP national secretariat to recognize him as the party’s flag bearer — a move which was rejected.
Shaibu then approached the court to seek a cancellation of the primary election.
Delivering judgement on the matter on Monday, May 27, Justice James Omotosho said that Shaibu did not have the legal standing to challenge the outcome of the primary “because he did not fully participate” in it and “was not present at the venue” on the day it took place.
Omotosho further ruled that Shaibu’s lawsuit was premature as he failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism within the PDP before resorting to court.
The judge emphasised that as a member of the party, Shaibu was obligated to follow its rules and regulations, which stipulate that an aggrieved aspirant must approach the party’s Appeal Committee before filing a lawsuit.
He stated that there was sufficient evidence indicating Ighodalo’s victory in the primary.
