The Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling by Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Federal High Court in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 has clarified that the judge ordered the inclusion of 378 delegates as part of the 3 Ad-Hoc Ward Delegates for the February 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election.
Contrary to misleading media reports, the judge did not make any ruling regarding the validity of the candidature of PDP candidates Dr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie Esq.
The CTC document has resolved the confusion surrounding the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Inyany Ekwo, clearing up all misinterpretations.
In his ruling, as detailed in the CTC document, the judge declared that “the Plaintiffs and the other 378 delegates, lawfully elected as Ward Congress Delegates, are entitled to participate in the primary election scheduled for February 22, 2024.”
The ruling does not favor the plaintiffs over the defendants; instead, it ensures procedural fairness in the election process.
He continued, “A Declaration is hereby made that by virtue of the provisions of Article 50 (3) of the Constitution of the 2nd Defendant (as amended in 2017), the Plaintiffs together with the other lawfully elected delegates, whose names and election results appear on Exhibits BID 8A to 8L herein, are the lawfully elected Ward Congress Delegates in their respective wards and by virtue of which the Defendants cannot exclude them from participating as 3 Ad-Hoc Ward Delegates at the Governorship primary election of Edo State slated for the 22nd of February, 2024 or any other date.
“An Order is hereby made directing the Defendants who are bound by the provisions of Section 82 of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Article 50 (3) of the 2nd Defendant’s Constitution (as amended in 2017) to abide by the outcome of the 3 Ad-Hoc Delegates Ward Congress of February 4, 2024, at which the Plaintiffs and the other 378 delegates, whose names and election results appear on Exhibits BID 8A to 8L were elected and to allow the Plaintiffs and the 375 other lawfully elected delegates participate in the primary election of February 22, 2024.