By Saintmoses Eromosele
In a bid to cast doubt and create confusion around the legitimacy of Asue Ighodalo’s candidacy for the gubernatorial race in Edo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) resorted to spreading false rumors about his disqualification. However, the recent release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court ruling by Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 has debunked these claims, exposing them as baseless attempts to undermine the opposition.
The CTC of the judgment has confirmed that there was no court order invalidating the primary election that produced Dr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie Esq., as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidates. Contrary to misleading reports, the ruling by Justice Ekwo focused on the inclusion of 378 delegates in the PDP primary election process, not on the validity of the candidates themselves.
According to the CTC document, Justice Ekwo declared that the 378 delegates were lawfully elected and should participate in the primary election of February 22, 2024. This ruling clearly establishes the lawful inclusion of these delegates in the electoral process, without affecting Ighodalo’s candidacy.
The Judge further stated that by virtue of Article 50 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the elected delegates cannot be excluded from participating in the primary election. This makes it clear that the court’s decision was about ensuring the rightful participation of the elected delegates, not disqualifying the PDP candidates.
The APC’s actions to distort the truth and mislead the public aim to destabilize the opposition by creating uncertainty around the PDP’s gubernatorial ticket. However, the clear and authoritative CTC document from the Federal High Court has rendered these tactics ineffective.
In conclusion, the attempt to besiege Asue Ighodalo’s candidacy with unfounded rumors has failed. The siege is finished, and the truth stands firm: there was no order disqualifying Asue Ighodalo or invalidating the PDP primary election. The certified ruling of Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo has affirmed the legitimacy of the electoral process and the rightful participation of the elected delegates, leaving Asue Ighodalo’s candidacy undeterred.
Saintmoses Eromosele aka SME writes from his Cassava farm in Ewu
