The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that Asue Ighodalo still remains the candidate of the party in the forthcoming Governorship election.
The party disclose this while reacting to a court ruling that nullified the February 22 PDP governorship primary election that produced Ighodalo as the candidate.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, held that the governorship primary failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022; the guidelines for the conduct of the poll and the party’s constitution.
Speaking further, Justice Ekwo, said the Exhibit PDP 1 tendered by the party was bereft of evidence, held that the plaintiffs, through the exhibits tendered, were able to establish their case against the defendants.
The judge said that from the exhibit presented by the PDP, he found that the returning officers who prepared the result sheets only sat down in a place to manufacture the outcome. of the poll.
He said the exclusion of the 381 delegates, including the plaintiffs, were against the provisions of the law.
Reacting to the development, Edo State PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, said the judgment does not impact Dr. Ighodalo’s status as the party’s flag bearer.
“The PDP is aware that certain elements who are scared of the soaring popularity of our candidate Dr Asue Ighodalo are going about peddling rumors that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo has been nullified.
“Let it be on record that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo as the flag bearer of the party for the 2024 elections remains intact and that the judgement of the Federal High court in Abuja did not in any way affect the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo
“We urge our teaming loyal supporters to remain calm and resolute as there is no cause for alarm”, the statement read.