Edo: Shaibu loses as court dismisses petition seeking nullification of Ighodalo’s candidacy

A Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed on Monday a complaint filed by the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo, Phillip Shaibu, seeking to overturn the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship primary on February 22, which produced Asue Ighodalo as its candidate.

In a decision, Justice James Omotosho ruled that Shaibu lacked the locus standi (legal right) to challenge the outcome of the primary because he did not fully participate.

Justice Omotosho also held that the impeached deputy governor was not equally present at the venue of the primary the day it was held.

The judge further held that the suit by Shaibu was premature because he failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism of the party before heading to court.

He said that as a member of the PDP, he was bound by the rules and regulations of the party, which require an aggrieved aspirant at a primary to first approach the party’s appeals committee before filing a suit in court.

He held that there was sufficient evidence to show that Ighodalo actually won the primary. (NAN)