The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has reaffirmed Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the legitimate and duly nominated governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State. This decision dismissed an appeal that challenged Ighodalo’s candidacy on the grounds of a forged voter’s card.
Previously, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had dismissed the case brought by Arthur Esene and Anselm Ojezua, ruling that it was statute-barred.
Justice Omotosho also held that the plaintiffs had not proven their claims of forgery and that not possessing a voter’s card is not a disqualifying factor under the Constitution or the Electoral Act.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Hamma Barka on Friday, the Court of Appeal upheld Justice Omotosho’s ruling, affirming that the case filed by Ojezua and four others was submitted after the statutory time limit, making it statute-barred.
Justice Barka emphasized that pre-election suits filed after the 14-day limit render the court without jurisdiction.
The court further noted that the forgery allegation was not proven, and the appeal lacked merit.
Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and the appellants were ordered to pay N1 million each in costs to both the PDP and Asue Ighodalo.
This ruling resolves all doubts and allegations concerning Dr. Ighodalo’s eligibility to contest the upcoming Edo State governorship election on September 21.
