Edo Guber: Court nulifies PDP Primary poll

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declared as invalid the People’s Democratic Party’s Primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as a governorship candidate. The primary election conducted on February 22, 2024 was voided on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were unlawfully excluded by PDP. The court invalidated the primary election on Thursday while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by the aggrieved delegates. The suit marked THC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 was instituted by one Hon Kelvin Mohammed in a representative capacity. Justice Ekwo held that both the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and PDP Guidelines were grossly violated in the conduct of the primary election at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin. Details later.

Court nullifies creation of 33 LCDAs by late Gov Akeredolu’s administration

The Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, has annulled the creation of 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) by the administration of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Presiding Justice A.O. Adebusuoye declared that the creation of the LCDAs was unconstitutional and illegal. The court determined that the procedures followed in establishing these LCDAs did not comply with the necessary legal requirements. The administration of the late Governor Akeredolu initiated the creation of the 33 LCDAs to enhance local governance and development. However, the move faced legal challenges, culminating in the recent court decision. Justice Adebusuoye noted that the creation of the LCDAs bypassed critical constitutional processes, rendering the establishment of these local government entities null and void. The judgment reiterated the importance of adhering to the constitution and legal statutes in the creation of any local government areas. The annulment of the LCDAs means that any administrative actions taken by the councils are now invalid. As of now, there has been no official response from the Ondo State Government regarding the court’s ruling.