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The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has confirmed Asue Ighodalo as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 's rightful governorship candidate in Edo State.
Justice James Omotosho made a significant ruling in case CS/469/24 on Wednesday, July 17, confirming Mr Ighodalo as the rightful PDP governorship candidate in Edo State.
This ruling was based on Mr Ighodalo's proper nomination during the PDP primaries held on February 22, 2024, in Benin City.
The court dismissed the objections raised by Philip Shaibu, Mr Ighodalo's political rival.
Ighodalo's ouster as PDP candidate
This development came after Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an earlier verdict that nullified the PDP election that produced Ighodalo as its governorship candidate.
Pulse reports that the judge held that the Electoral Act 2022 and the PDP Guidelines were grossly violated in the conduct of the primary election.
Redemption for Ighodalo
Justice Omotosho held that the suit, being a pre-election case, was filed outside the 14 days allowed under Section 285(9) of the Constitution.
The judge also held that even though forgery or non-possession of a voter's card was a disqualifying factor under Section 182 of the Constitution, the plaintiffs failed to prove that Ighodalo forged his voter's card, as they alleged.
Mr Ighodalo won the primary with 577 votes, defeating Mr Shaibu and 10 other contenders.
It is currently unclear whether Mr Shaibu plans to appeal the decision.
Ighodalo, a prominent business lawyer based in Lagos, is widely regarded as the leading candidate for the gubernatorial election scheduled for September 2024.