BREAKING: High Court Delivers Judgement on Shaibu’s Request to Void Edo PDP Candidate’s Candidacy

• A high court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Philip Shaibu seeking to void the February 22 governorship primary of the PDP in Edo state
• Legit.ng recalls that Asue Ighodalo was declared the winner of the governorship primary held in Benin City
• The judge, Justice James Omotosho, ruled that Shaibu’s application was premature and gave his reason

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics and elections in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja - A federal high court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit by the impeached Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, seeking the nullification of Asue Ighodalo as the governorship flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Legit.ng recalls that Shaibu had contended that he is the authentic candidate of the PDP for the Edo governorship election slated for September.

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Ighodalo was announced the winner of another PDP primary exercise which took place in February at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.

Subsequently, Shaibu said the election that produced Ighodalo was marred by irregularities and disregard for the party’s constitution.

But in a judgement on Monday, May 27, Justice James Omotosho held that Shaibu lacked the locus standi to have challenged the outcome of the primary.

The Nation reported that the judge gave the verdict and said Shaibu did not fully participate in the poll and was not present at the venue of the primary the day it was held.

The Punch also noted the court's verdict.

Furthermore, Justice Omotosho held that the suit by Shaibu was premature because he failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism of the party before heading to the court.

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Impeached Shaibu discloses next line of action

Legit.ng earlier reported that Shaibu denounced “in strongest terms” his “illegal” impeachment by the Edo state house of assembly.

In a 4-minute 50-second pre-recorded video shared on his verified X page, Shaibu said the charges of perjury and disclosure of the state government's secrets against him are “trumped up”.

He stated that the impeachment was “hatched” because of gubernatorial ambition.

Source: Legit.ng