The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Dr. Asue Ighodalo’s nomination as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Edo State in the upcoming September 21 election, Okay.ng reports.
The court dismissed an application filed by certain delegates who sought to nullify the PDP primaries, ruling that the delegates lacked the legal standing, or locus, to challenge the process.
In a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Musali JCA, the court highlighted that under Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act, only aspirants have the right to contest the outcome of a primary election.
“They are delegates and not aspirants. Delegates do not have any locus to challenge the process of the primary election,” the court stated.
The ruling further emphasized that the matter pertains to the internal affairs of the PDP, thus preventing the trial court from nullifying the primaries.
The February 22 primaries, which resulted in Dr. Ighodalo’s candidacy, were consequently upheld by the appellate court.
