The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed confidence on Sunday that its candidate for the upcoming Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, will emerge victorious despite facing lawsuits and smear campaigns.
This statement follows last week’s ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the February 22 primary that selected Ighodalo as the PDP candidate. The court’s decision, delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was based on the exclusion of 378 delegates from the primary.
The PDP has rejected this judgment and plans to appeal. National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated on Sunday that attempts to distract Ighodalo will ultimately fail.
“The Peoples Democratic Party affirms that smear campaigns and frivolous litigation aimed to distract its candidate in the September 21, 2024 Edo State Governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, are all efforts in futility as he is the undisputed choice of the majority of the people of Edo State,” Ologunagba said.
He accused certain individuals of orchestrating coordinated attacks against Ighodalo due to his popularity and strong support across the state. Ologunagba alleged that these individuals have been attempting to influence court decisions and spread false reports through the media.
“Our party has been made aware of how these angry and bitter individuals have been going around the courts and reportedly attempting to induce certain judicial officers to procure damaging rulings against our candidate,” he stated.
The PDP called on the judiciary, media, and security agencies to be vigilant against these attempts to undermine the democratic process. Ologunagba emphasized that the party remains undeterred by these challenges and is committed to ensuring a fair and transparent election.
He concluded by saying, “The schemes against Dr. Asue Ighodalo and the people of Edo State have come to naught having already been exposed.”
