The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared the governorship primary election of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), conducted on February 22, 2024, as invalid.

Presiding Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the primary, which nominated Asue Ighodalo as the gubernatorial candidate, was conducted unlawfully.

In the case identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, initiated by a group of dissatisfied delegates led by Kelvin Mohammed, Justice Ekwo found that 378 eligible delegates were wrongfully barred from voting by the PDP, in violation of legal statutes.

The court further determined that the primary election, held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, was marred by significant breaches of the Electoral Act 2022, PDP's own guidelines, and its constitution.

Additionally, the evidence submitted by the PDP (labeled Exhibit 1) was deemed inadequate and unconvincing, suggesting tampering with the results by the returning officers.

Justice Ekwo concluded that the plaintiffs convincingly proved their case against the defendants with the submitted evidence.

Regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), listed as the first defendant, the judge observed that although INEC had filed an initial appearance, it failed to present any subsequent legal documentation.

INEC's legal representative announced their intention to comply with the court's ruling, supporting the plaintiffs' case.

Justice Ekwo affirmed, “I find that the plaintiffs’ case succeeds on its merits."

A faction of 378 ad-hoc delegates, aligned with the ousted Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, challenged INEC, the PDP, its National Secretary, and the Vice Chairman of the South-South region, contesting the primary's outcome.

The legal action, dated February 7 and filed on February 8, sought judicial intervention to prevent the defendants from excluding the plaintiffs and an additional 378 delegates, as detailed in "Exhibits BID 8A to 8L," from the February 22 primaries in Edo.

Representatives for the plaintiffs, including Kelvin Mohammed, Mr. Gabriel Okoduwa, and Mr. Ederaho Osagie, speaking for affected parties across 12 local government areas and 127 wards, contended that granting their requested relief would serve the cause of justice.