A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled September 19 to hear a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking the disqualification of Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
The APC alleges that Ighodalo and the PDP failed to comply with the Electoral Act, 2022, and seeks an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Ighodalo’s name from the ballot.
INEC has urged the court to dismiss the suit, stating that Ighodalo is the PDP’s nominated candidate for the election. The APC has filed an amended originating summons, seeking a declaration that INEC has the power to disqualify a political party’s candidate for non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
Ighodalo’s lawyer has filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the motion for amendment and that the proposed reliefs are statute-barred.
The court has adjourned the hearing to allow PDP’s counsel to respond to the APC’s amended originating summons. The APC’s suit is part of the ongoing political tensions ahead of the Edo State governorship election.
The court’s decision will have implications for the election and the candidates involved. The APC’s allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act have sparked debate about the legitimacy of Ighodalo’s candidacy and the role of INEC in ensuring electoral integrity.
