The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court ruling that required the PDP to allow 381 ad-hoc delegates in its Edo State primary. The court ruled the previous court lacked jurisdiction, affirming the PDP's autonomy in managing its candidate selection for the upcoming governorship election.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a previous ruling by the Federal High Court, which had mandated the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to permit the participation of 381 ad-hoc delegates in its February 22 primary election in Edo State. This primary resulted in the selection of Asue Ighodalo as the PDP's candidate for the upcoming September 21, 2024 governorship election.
The appellate court's three-judge panel unanimously ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case brought by the delegates, who were found to have no legal standing to initiate the suit. In addressing a similar case involving eight other delegates, the court emphasized that political parties function as private entities and that members must adhere to their internal regulations. The court clarified that those who did not partake in the primary lacked the standing to contest its results.
The Federal High Court had previously voided the primary election, citing the unlawful exclusion of the 378 delegates and violations of the Electoral Act and PDP guidelines during the election held at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. Justice Inyang Ekwo criticized the lack of evidence provided by the PDP, stating that the process was flawed and that returning officers had fabricated the election results. However, the Appeal Court has now upheld the PDP's authority in managing its candidate selection process, ruling out judicial intervention in party affairs.
