Judgment on Suits Challenging Ighodalo’s Candidacy Set for April 30: Edo Gubernatorial Election in Focus

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has scheduled a judgment for April 30 in two separate suits challenging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries that produced Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the party’s governorship candidate for the September 21 Edo gubernatorial election.

The suits, filed by Dr. Adizetu Umoru, Moses Alabi, and Christopher Oboarer, sought to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, and other defendants from using the list of ward congresses held on February 4 for the purpose of conducting the PDP’s primaries in Edo State, slated for February 22 or any other date, pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.

During the court session, the plaintiffs’ counsel, Magaji Ibrahim, SAN, argued that the primaries would amount to a nullity if allowed to hold, citing the party’s alleged disobedience of a previous court judgment that declared Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP.

The defendants’ counsel, including I.S. Mohammed for INEC, Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, for the PDP, Kehibde Ofunwumiju, SAN, and Robert Emukpoeruo for the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee, urged the court to dismiss the suit and award substantial cost.

In a related development, the court also fixed May 2 for ruling on a motion seeking a change of counsel for the fourth defendant in a third suit filed on behalf of 378 ad hoc delegates in Edo primary poll against INEC, PDP, and other defendants.

As the Edo gubernatorial election approaches, the court’s judgment on these suits will have significant implications for the political landscape and the electoral process in the state.