The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn a federal high court judgment that had questioned the conduct of its governorship primary in Edo State, where Dr. Asue Ighodalo emerged as the party’s candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election on September 21.

In a unanimous ruling, the three-member panel of the appellate court stated that the federal high court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case, declaring that the matter raised by the plaintiffs was related to the party’s internal affairs and pre-primary issues.

PDP spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, celebrated the judgment as a victory against “anti-democratic forces that aimed to disrupt the will of the people of Edo.” Ologunagba stressed that the ruling reinforces the legitimacy of the PDP’s nomination process, solidifying Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the rightful candidate.

Ologunagba also addressed the All Progressives Congress (APC), suggesting that the APC is “frustrated” by Ighodalo’s growing popularity and support in Edo State. He highlighted that some APC members have even publicly shown their backing for Ighodalo.

“The spontaneous celebrations across Edo State following the judgment are clear evidence of the widespread support Ighodalo enjoys among the state’s residents,” Ologunagba remarked. He encouraged the APC and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, to accept the court’s ruling as an indication of their impending defeat at the polls, affirming that the people of Edo have chosen Ighodalo as their preferred leader.