Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed two separate suits challenging the emergence of Asue Ighodalo as the winner of the February 22 governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State.
The court ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to file the suit.
The first suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/195/2024, was filed by one Adizetu Umoru, while the second one, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/196/2024, was filed by Moses Alabi and Christopher Oboarer.
Listed as defendants in the suits were the Independent National Electoral Commission; the PDP; its acting National Chairman,Umar Damagum; Setonji Koshoedo; PDP’s National Working Committee, and the party’s National Executive Committee.
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 on February 4, for the purpose of conducting the PDP’s primary in Edo State, which held on February 22 pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.
Justice Ekwo, in his judgment, 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 individual interests were affected or jeopardised by the primary election.
Justice Ekwo stated that the plaintiffs did not establish whether they were eligible to participate in the election but were prevented or whether wrongdoings were displayed during the election.
