JUSTICE James Omotosho of a Federal High Court has dismissed the application filed by the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu and three others seeking the disqualification of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asue Igodalo.
Justice Omotosho in his judgment in the suit marked CS/469/24, held that the applicant filed the case out of time adding that the allegation of forgery claimed in the application has not been sufficiently proved by the claimants.
The court also held that Dr. Ighodalo was duly nominated at the 22 February primaries of the PDP which was held in Benin City.
On the issue of fake voter cards, the court held that INEC, who concerned authority, condemned the issue before the court.
Justice Omotosho, therefore, dismissed the case for being statute-barred and lacking in merit.
Reacting to the judgement, counsel to the PDP candidate and third respondent in the suit, Akinlolu Kehinde, urged political officeholders in Nigeria to stop heating up the polity with frivolous applications.
Recall that Ighodalo emerged as the PDP governorship candidate in a primary election held on 22 February 2024 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.
He scored a total of 577 votes to beat his closest rival, Philip Shaibu and 10 other aspirants.
Eighteen-Eleven Media