The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said it followed due process in the conduct of the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship primary that produced Dr Asue Ighodalo as its candidate.
The PDP in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the congresses and subsequent governorship primary that produced Dr Ighodalo “were duly and legally conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the constitution and electoral guidelines of the PDP, the Electoral Act, 2022 and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
The party stated that no eligible delegate was excluded from participating in the primary election, arguing that the “accreditation, polling, counting of ballot, collation and declaration of results were publicly conducted, monitored by officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City which exercise was also duly broadcasted live on national TV stations and multiple social media platforms.
“Moreover, the PDP holds that pursuant to the provisions of Section 84 (14) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the case is even of no moment as the plaintiffs have no locus to question the outcome of the primary election not being aspirants in the exercise.”
PDP stated that the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs do not include the disqualification and/or nullification of the primary election that produced Dr. Ighodalo as the winner, arguing that “The court is not a Father Christmas.”
It urged members of the public especially the people of Edo State to disregard the report and remain focused on their solidarity and support for the PDP and its candidate.