Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed two separate suits challenging the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s governorship candidate for the Edo poll.
The court dismissed the suits on the premise of a lack of locus standi on the part of the plaintiffs.
Delivering judgments in the separate suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/195/2024, which was filed by Adizetu Umoru, the second suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/196/2024, filed by Moses Alabi and Christopher Oboarer.
Justice Ekwo held that the plaintiffs failed to convince the court or show sufficient, direct and tangible personal interest that could lead the court to nullify the primary election.
The court maintained that the plaintiffs did not establish how their interests were affected or jeopardized by the primary election.
The plaintiffs had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission, PDP, Umar Damagun (acting national chairman), Setonji Koshoedo, PDP’s National Working Committee, and its National Executive Committee as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.
All three plaintiffs, in separate motions filed on February 19, sought an interim order of the court restraining the defendants from using the list of ward congresses held in February. 4, to conduct the PDP’s primary in Edo State, which was held in February. 22 pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.
Justice Ekwo stated that the plaintiffs did not establish whether they were eligible to participate in the election but prevented it or whether wrongdoings were displayed during the election.
INEC had announced that the Edo governorship election will be held on Sept. 21, 2023.
