Asue Ighodalo’s nomination to be the People’s Democratic Party’s governorship candidate for the September election, has been upheld by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The suit challenging the nomination of Mr. Ighodalo was brought by former deputy governor Philip Shaibu and others. Passing judgment on the matter Wednesday, Justice James Omotosho said the suit, which challenged Ighodalo’s qualification because he allegedly forged his voter’s card, was statute-barred.
Justice Omotosho held that the suit, being a Pre-election case, was filed outside the 14 days allowed under Section 285(9) of the Constitution.
The judge also held that even though forgery or non-possession of a voter’s card was a disqualifying factor under Section 182 of the Constitution, the plaintiff failed to prove that Ighodalo forged his voter’s card as alleged by the plaintiffs.
The court also held that Shaibu lacked the right to challenge the primary that produced Ighodalo, having not participated in the exercise.
