By Abiola Olawale
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday insisted that Asue Ighodalo remains the governorship candidate of the party in the forthcoming September gubernatorial election.
The party which reacted to Thursday’s pronouncement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on its primary election said Ighodalo was duly elected as the flagbearer of the party.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Edo PDP Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi.
Aziegbemi in the statement said the court judgment of Justice Inyang Ekwo did not affect the candidacy of Ighodalo.
According to him, some individuals who are scared of the rising popularity of the party’s governorship candidate are the ones spreading rumours.
He also called on its members to remain calm, assuring that there is no cause to be worried by the development.
The statement reads in part: “Let it be on record that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo as the flag bearer of the party for the 2024 elections remains intact and that the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja did not in any way affect the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo.
“The PDP is aware that certain elements who are scared of the soaring popularity of our candidate Dr Asue Ighodalo are going about peddling rumours that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo has been nullified.
“We urge our teaming loyal supporters to remain calm and resolute as there is no cause for alarm.”
It would be recalled that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday voided the February 2024 election that produced Ighodalo on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were purportedly unlawfully excluded by PDP.
It is however not clear if the party will appeal the judgement to vacate the order of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
