Today, July 4, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Hon. Justice Ekwo, entered a judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/165 of 2024 (HON. KELVIN MOHAMMED & 2 ORS VS INEC & 3 ORS). This case was filed by some individuals who claimed they were authentic delegates wrongfully excluded from participating in the selection of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer for the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo State......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
In a surprising development, and contrary to a long line of Appellate Courts’ decisions on the matter, Hon. Justice Ekwo held that the issue of ward congresses and the selection of delegates is a justiciable matter that the court is entitled to review. It is important to note that both the Edo State PDP and the specific court involved in this case have a history regarding this very issue. The Appellate Court had previously set aside similar decisions from this same court, reaffirming that ward congresses and delegate selection are purely internal affairs of political parties, falling outside the jurisdiction of any court.
We are confident that this new decision will not withstand the scrutiny of an appeal, and all necessary steps in that regard are already being actively pursued. Furthermore, it must be emphasized that the claim in question and the subsequent judgment did not, in any shape or form, invalidate or challenge the outcome of the PARTY PRIMARIES, which produced the PDP candidate for the forthcoming elections.
Therefore, contrary to circulating stories spread by mischief makers, the PDP primaries held on February 22, 2024, were not set aside, and no order was issued affecting their outcome. Members and supporters of the PDP, as well as the good people of Edo State, are urged to remain calm and disregard the aznews antics of mischief makers. The falsity of their assertions will be made clear in due time upon the release of the actual judgment for public consumption.
