The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Phillips Shaibu, the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, seeking to nullify the February 22 governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.
The primary was won by Asue Ighodalo.
In his judgment, Justice James Omotosho ruled that Shaibu lacked the locus standi to challenge the primary’s outcome, as he did not fully participate in it and was not present at the venue on the day it was held. The court further noted that Shaibu’s suit was premature, as he had not exhausted the internal dispute resolution mechanisms of the PDP before approaching the court.
Justice Omotosho emphasized that, as a PDP member, Shaibu was bound by the party’s rules and regulations, which mandate that an aggrieved aspirant must first seek redress through the party’s Appeal Committee before filing a lawsuit. The judge also affirmed that there was sufficient evidence to confirm Ighodalo’s victory in the primary.
More details to follow.
