The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday barred the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognizing or accepting ad hoc delegates produced by Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki’s faction of the People’s Democratic Party.
According to Vanguard, Justice Inyang Ekwo upheld the order in a ruling in a suit filed by 581 delegates elected on April 30.
They sued the Party, Mr. Iyorchia Ayu, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, Mr. Umar Bature, and INEC as the first to fifth defendants.
The judge ruled that the ad hoc delegates selected by Mr Dan Orbih’s faction of the party were genuine and must be recognized.
Justice Ekwo ruled that the PDP and the other defendants in the suit were bound by Section 84 (5) of the Electoral Act 2022, as well as Section 15 of the Party’s Constitution, which deals with delegate elections.
The judge agreed with the plaintiffs that they were lawfully and properly chosen as bonafide ad hoc Party’s delegates for the Edo chapter.
The court also ruled that the function of INEC in supervising primaries, congresses, and conventions was statutorily and constitutionally mandated and that all political parties must closely conform to it.
The court further stated that going against the plaintiffs’ election would constitute a violation of unambiguous laws.