July 08, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged a calumny campaign by aggrieved members of the party against its candidate in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party alleged that the individuals “have been going around the courts and reportedly attempting to induce certain judicial officers to procure damaging rulings against our candidate”.
Ologunagba further alleged that there were attempts to compromise the media to publish fabrications against its candidate and campaign.
“Our party has it on good authority that the intent of these individuals who have been holding clandestine meetings in locations in Abuja and Benin City is to cause crisis and derail the democratic process leading to the Edo State governorship election,” he said.
The party accused the aggrieved politicians of being behind the report that the party’s governorship primary in Edo State was nullified by the court “when the court indeed did not issue any order to that effect.
“Such barefaced boast is a direct assault on the sensibility and pride of the majority of the people of Edo State as well as the institutions of democracy where the will of the majority of the people must prevail.”
The PDP called on the judiciary, the media and security agencies to be wary of the antics and activities of these elements and take steps to resist their shenanigans, which, it added, is a danger to the sustenance of democracy in the country.
The party, however, said it is not deterred by the activities of these individuals “as their schemes against Dr. Asue Ighodalo and the people of Edo State have come to nought, having already been exposed. Our candidate, Dr. Ighodalo, continues to enjoy the solidarity and support of the overwhelming majority of the people of Edo State.
“He remains focused on his issue-based campaign and will not be distracted from his vision and agenda of moving Edo State to another level of prosperity and development on the platform of the PDP.”
It, however, called on the people of Edo State to remain alert and resolute in their determination to ensure continued development by voting en masse for the PDP and Dr. Ighodalo in the September 21 governorship election in the state.
Meanwhile, the National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Adeyemi Ajibade, has said the party would appeal the judgement of the Abuja High Court for the purposes of clarity.
He said the main purpose of the appeal was to avoid any ambiguity and a repeat of the Zamfara State episode that eventually enthroned Bello Matawalle as governor in 2019.
Also, Ighodalo has said he would file an appeal against the judgement.
“To avoid any ambiguity, I will file my appeal against the Federal High Court judgement on Monday,” he said.
Ajibade further disclosed that the party would approach the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on the defected lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He said the appellate court only decided on jurisdiction and not on the substantive issues, adding that the substantive issue was the defection of 25 members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP National Legal Adviser said Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja overreached himself in the face of sections 84 (14) of the amended Electoral Act, which enshrined that only aspirants that contested in the primary election could seek redress and not delegates.
“The ruling of the appellate court was on jurisdiction and not the substantive issue of defection. There is a difference between jurisdiction and hearing the substantive case,” he said.
