Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit brought by impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillips Shaibu, seeking to nullify the February 22, Governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state.
Justice James Omotosho in his judgement on Monday, stated that Shaibu did not have the legal standing to challenge the outcome of the primary because he did not fully participate in it.
While noting that Shuaibu was not also present at the venue on the day the primary election took place, the trial judge further ruled that Shaibu’s lawsuit was premature as he failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism within the PDP before resorting to court.
The judge emphasised that as a member of the party, Shaibu was obligated to follow its rules and regulations, which stipulate that an aggrieved aspirant must approach the party’s Appeal Committee before filing a lawsuit.
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He stated that there was sufficient evidence indicating Asue Ighodalo’s victory in the primary election.
Shuaib had in his suit prayed the Court to issue an order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC from accepting or recognising Ighodalo as PDP Governorship candidate in Edo State.
He also requested the court for another order to compel PDP to conduct a fresh primary election.
His grouse was mainly that the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and PDP guidelines were violated in the conduct of the primary election held on February 22.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
