The Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria has dismissed a suit filed by the impeached Edo Deputy Governor, Phillips Shaibu, seeking to nullify the February 22 governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, which was won by Asue Ighodalo.
In a judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the court held that Shaibu lacked the locus standi to challenge the outcome of the primary because he did not fully participate in it and was not present at the venue on the day it was held.
Justice Omotosho stated, “Shaibu lacked the locus standi to challenge the primary as he did not fully participate in it and was not present at the venue on the day it was held.” He further noted that the suit was premature since Shaibu failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanisms of the party before approaching the court.
“As a member of the PDP, Shaibu is bound by the rules and regulations of the party, which require an aggrieved aspirant to first approach the party’s Appeal Committee before filing a suit in court,” the judge emphasized.
Justice Omotosho also concluded that there was sufficient evidence to show that Asue Ighodalo legitimately won the primary.
The ruling comes amid a political turmoil in Edo State, where Shaibu was recently impeached. He had sought to invalidate the PDP primary results, claiming irregularities, but the court’s decision upheld the legitimacy of the internal party processes and the primary outcome.
