Hope for Shaibu as court voids Edo PDP guber primary producing Asue

By Onoja Baba

There may be a glimmer of hope for Philip Shaibu, the former Deputy Governor of Edo State as Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declared the Peoples Democratic Party’s February 22, 2024 primary election, which produced Asue Ighodalo as its governorship candidate, invalid.

The judgment was delivered on Thursday in response to a lawsuit filed by aggrieved delegates, represented by Kelvin Mohammed. Justice Ekwo found that 378 delegates, who were entitled to vote, were unlawfully excluded from the primary election.

The court determined that the exclusion of these delegates violated both the Electoral Act 2022 and the PDP’s guidelines. The primary election took place at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.

Recall, Asue Ighodalo, a former Chairman of Sterling Bank, was declared the winner of the PDP primary at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, having secured 577 votes. Philip Shaibu, who held a parallel primary election, was declared the winner at his separate venue with 300 votes. Shaibu received only one vote in the PDP’s official primary, with the other candidates scoring no votes.

The primary election saw ten aspirants initially vying for the PDP’s gubernatorial ticket. Several candidates, including Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Omosede Igbinedion, withdrew their participation.

Ogbeide-Ihama cited irregularities and corruption within the party’s National Working Committee as his reasons for withdrawal. Igbinedion stepped down in favor of Ighodalo.

In his acceptance speech, Ighodalo expressed gratitude to Governor Godwin Obaseki and the people of Edo State for their support. He promised to build on the foundation laid by Obaseki and to bring in young talent to transform the state.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State chaired the election committee, with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State serving as co-chairman.

At the primary election, Governor Obaseki emphasized the importance of leadership in overcoming the challenges facing Nigeria, asserting that the PDP was the only party capable of ruling the country effectively.

Meanwhile, Shaibu’s parallel primary was marred by controversy and violence. His supporters alleged that they were chased away from the accreditation venue by security agents and that the delegate list published by the national leadership of the party included names from Bayelsa and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Shaibu, speaking to protesting delegates, urged them to remain peaceful and assured them that their votes would count. He expressed confidence that the authentic delegates’ votes would prevail despite the challenges.

The primary election process was disrupted when gunmen, dressed as vigilantes, invaded the venue, causing panic and scattering the participants.

Shaibu later addressed journalists, emphasizing the importance of a fair election and vowing to contest any results achieved through fraudulent means.

This ruling by Justice Ekwo raises questions on whether Philip’s election could be considered and sets the stage for further legal and political battles as the state approaches its governorship election slated for September 21, 2024.