Our reporter
In a recent development regarding the Edo Governorship Election scheduled for September 21, 2024, a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. M.D. Igbas Ezehi, has asserted that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) currently has no valid candidate.
He stated this during a one-day conference organized by Amb. Terry for the All Progressives Congress (APC) New Media, where Hon. Igbas served as one of the resource persons.
Hon. Igbas detailed that two significant judgments were delivered by the Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Omotosho, on the same day. The first judgment denied Deputy Governor Philip Shuaibu’s request to nullify the PDP primary that produced Asuerinme Ighodalo as the party’s candidate.
However, the second judgment addressed an appeal by Asuerinme Ighodalo against the Federal High Court’s ruling, which stated that a voter’s card is a criterion for contesting the governorship election.
Hon. Igbas noted that while the PDP’s media heavily celebrated the first judgment, they downplayed the second, which disqualified Ighodalo from the election. This led to widespread misinformation among the public, with many still believing Ighodalo to be the PDP candidate.
He urged the APC New Media to increase their efforts in disseminating accurate information about the party and its candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, also known as Akpakomiza.
The crux of the second judgment by the Court of Appeal was that Asuerinme Ighodalo’s voter’s card and the sworn affidavit of personal particulars did not match the voter register issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), disqualifying him from contesting the governorship position.
As per Section 182(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 29 of the Electoral Act 2022, this mismatch is a disqualifying factor.
Despite his disqualification, Ighodalo sought a reversal of this judgment from the Court of Appeal, which ruled against him, confirming that the case initiated by Hon. Phillip Shuaibu was filed within the constitutional fourteen-day period.
In response to these rulings, a prominent PDP member from Esan West Local Government Area, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that party leadership in Benin City is considering supporting Labour Party candidates as a contingency plan.
This move comes amidst rumours that Governor Godwin Obaseki might also be considering the Labour Party as an alternative if the Supreme Court does not favour Ighodalo.
As the election date approaches, the people of Edo State remain keenly interested in the unfolding political scenario and the final decisions from the courts.
