The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says it will appeal the court’s verdict invalidating the party’s primary election in Edo State.
On Thursday, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja voided the February 22 primary that produced Asue Ighodalo as its candidate.
According to the court, the exercise was voided on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were unlawfully excluded by PDP.
But the party, through its National Campaign Council for the Edo State Election, described the court verdict as a little setback.
Chairman of the council and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, reacted to the court verdict on Saturday at an inaugural meeting with the PDP National Executive Committee, which was held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He urged council members to be steadfast, expressing confidence that the PDP is in the race to win following what he described as the sterling performance of the outgoing Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
“There is a little setback, temporarily. God will see us through it. This is what will not stand in the court of law, particularly that we will be approaching the court of appeal,” Fintiri said.
“Referring to the three days, I mean, three days ago’s court judgment, anybody who peruses and looks through the entire process, you know that is a child’s play. And that shouldn’t deter us.”
He said the party is solidly behind its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to ensure he wins the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
For the PDP National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade, the position of the party on the judgement does not in any way invalidate the candidacy of its party.
He also noted that the PDP has eight cases following the Edo State PDP primaries, and Friday’s ruling was the seventh, and he’s hopeful that the appeal court will set the records straight.
On his part, Ighodalo acknowledged that the forthcoming election isn’t going to be an easy one, as there will be many distractions.
He, however, expressed hope that PDP will be victorious, as he and his running mate are ready to give everything they have for the election
