PDP, Ighodalo’s Iconic Triumph in Court Against APC & Its Agents; A Forensic Analysis
By Prince Oshomah Cy.
In the light of the regime of lies and fake news being peddled by the All Progressives Congress (APC), it is important to do a glossary of the various cases in which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and her Standard bearer, Barr Dr Asue Ighodalo has won and will continue to triumph against those opposed to his emergence as a God sent Governor to deliver the democratic dividends across the length and breath of Edo state.
These include the former Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu and others in the PDP working for the APC, who have waged war attrition against PDP’s candidate since the conclusion of the primary election:
Some of these cases are outlined below:
Philip Shaibu vs Ighodalo – May 27, 2024
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, stated that Shaibu did not have the legal standing to challenge the outcome of the primary because he did not fully participate in the exercise neither was he present at the venue on the day it took place.
Omotosho noted that Shaibu’s lawsuit was premature as he ignored the internal dispute resolution mechanism within the PDP before taking the natter to court.
The judge emphasised that as a member of the party, Shaibu was obligated to follow its rules and regulations, which stipulate that an aggrieved aspirant must approach the party’s Appeal Committee before filing a lawsuit.
Anselm Ojezua vs Ighodalo – June 27, 2024
The court, in a judgment by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, struck out the suit brought before it by an aggrieved PDP Governorship aspirant, Anselm Ojezua.
It held that the suit, which was filed on March 6, was premature, stressing that the plaintiff failed to explore the internal dispute resolution mechanism of the party before instituting the action.
Justice Egwuatu agreed with Ighodalo’s lead counsel, Mr. Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, that it was wrong and amounted to a breach of PDP’s mandatory rule, for the plaintiff to have sidelined the Appeal Panel of the party.
He held that since it is mandatory for any aggrieved governorship aspirant to explore internal dispute mechanism resolution before approaching a court of law, the plaintiff was bound to comply with the rule like any other aspirant.
Delegates vs INEC – July 4, 2024 (Academic exercise)
On July 4, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo entered a judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/165 of 2024 (Hon. Kelvin Mohammed & 2 ORS Vs INEC & 3 Ors), which was filed by some disgruntled persons who claimed that they were authentic delegates wrongly excluded from participating in the choice of the Peoples Democratic Party flag bearer in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo State.
Though the Judge had ruled for the delegates to be included in the primary, it was only an academic exercise as the primary had already held. It is trite law that a Court of equity jurisdiction cannot invoke an Order which it cannot execute. This principle of law without any further enquires renders Justice Ekwo’s error judgement handicap and lack in execution. It’s a mere academic exercise and a wasted effort in futility.
_Appeal court fines Shaibu 1m for waisting the court’s time_
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja upheld the candidacy of Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the duly and validly nominated candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the September 21 off circle Governorship election in Edo State.
In the his ruling on Monday, the learnt Justices of the Court, led by Justice A. M Lamido dismissed the case brought before it by Hon Philip Shaibu. It uphold the ruling of the trial court which affirmed Ighodalo as the valid candidate after scoring the highest valid votes from the contest to nominate the PDP candidate.
The Federal High Court had ruled that the appellant did not satisfy the condition precedent (internal dispute resolution mechanism) before instituting the action and therefore declared that the suit was premature.
Upholding the judgement of the trial court, the Court held that Philip’s suit was premature, noting that the position of the lower court was unassailable.
The court, therefore, awarded a cost of a N1,000,000 cost against Shaibu and in favor of Barr Dr Asue Ighodalo, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and two others.
After fruitlessly pursuing these cases, the APC has further resorted to disruption of the political space in order to use chaos and violence as a tragetory to forcefully take over the Osadebe Avenue Government in Edo State. Haba, the most civilized, most socialized and the democratized citizens of Edo state across the Three (3) Senatorial Zones will not fold her hands to watch the hard labor of our heroes past be in vain for the sake of the bunch of criminal gang called themselves, APC, a party Nigerians has reject and will continue to be rejected.
Their illicit tricks will not work. Edo state is dynamic and too complex for manipulations.
In truth, where on earth will a purported leader come on air to castigate an entire kingdom *”Witches and Wizards”* as was brandished by the Edo state APC leader, Adams Oshiomhole on Arise TV this morning? Sincerely, I know he speaks in the voice of FRUSTRATION of a drowning man notwithstanding, I will renounce my Esan blood if for any reason they failed in their obligation to punish APC with their votes come Sept 21 and in every other subsequent elections. APC must be forced to surrender for it’s huge sacrilege against the Esan kingdom.
The people are seeing through their lies and subterfuge. Come September 21, the people will prove to APC and their minion that it is good work that sells a candidate not their plotted intimidation in the guise of Federal might or violence. Nobody has a monopoly of violence.
Please continue to repost until the needful is done and victory over principalities is achieved
