By kawaekwune Jeffrey
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the Court of Appeal for its judgment affirming the eligibility of Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the party’s candidate for the September 21 Edo State governorship election.
It would be recalled that a Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had in a judgment dismissed a legal challenge by the All Progressives Congress (APC) questioning the validity of Ighodalo’s voter’s card. The APC had also challenged the PDP candidate’s qualification to contest the September 21 governorship elections.
However, the Appeal Court ruling comes as a relief for the PDP, which has faced several legal challenges in the lead-up to the election.
In a statement issued at the weekend by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party described the court’s decision as a victory for the collective will of the people of Edo State and a triumph of truth over falsehood and propaganda. The statement emphasized that the APC’s case was based on a flawed assumption, with the court dismissing it as lacking merit. The PDP further noted that the ruling validates Ighodalo’s candidacy, allowing him to focus on his campaign without the distraction of ongoing litigation.
The legal challenges against Ighodalo, according to the PDP, were part of a broader attempt by the APC and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, to undermine the credibility of the PDP’s campaign. The PDP argued that these actions were politically motivated and intended to derail Ighodalo’s momentum. However, with this judgment, the party believes that the APC’s efforts have been effectively neutralized, and the focus is now on the issues that matter to the people of Edo State.
The PDP also expressed its gratitude to the people of Edo State for what it called their continued support and urged them to remain resolute and vigilant as the election approaches. The party encouraged its supporters to stay committed to ensuring a smooth electoral process and “to resist any attempts to undermine the will of the people.”
