PDP primaries: Edo High Court refuses to grant ex-parte order against Ayu, Obaseki, others

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An Edo State High Court has refused to grant an interim injunction seeking to restrain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu from allowing the ad hoc delegates that emerged from the party’s ward congress to participate in the party’s primary election.

The action was instituted by one Mr. Eghe Adun, an old PDP member believed to be loyal to the South-South Vice Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih.

Listed as defendants in the case with suit number HAB/46/2022 are the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, and His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki.

The court, sitting in Abudu, refused to countenance the ex-parte application but deferred a hearing in the matter to the 12th of May, 2022.

The party primaries are to be held on Saturday the 7th of May, 2022.

In a similar vein, one Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, a member representing Oredo in the House of Representatives sponsored a similar suit at the Federal High Court Abuja, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/ 598/2022.

The Plaintiffs in the said suit, seeking an ex-parte injunction is Hon. Monday Iyore Osagie, Hon. Reuben Ikponmwan Ekhosuehi, Hon. Adeyanba Michael Osaro, Hon. Magdalene Omosigho and Hon. Imariagbe Destiny Oghogho, claims to bring the suit on behalf of the 576 ad hoc delegates elected on 30 April 2020.

They are seeking to restrain the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, Senator Sam Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature and INEC from acting on any list that does not include their names for the party primaries of the 7th of May, 2022.

Due to administrative constraints the matter which was filed on the 4th of May, 2022 is yet to be assigned to a court by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

It will be recalled that a faction of the PDP in Edo State headed by Chief Dan Orbih expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the Congress to elect 3 ad hoc delegates for the State and National Assembly primaries.

To avert the legal action in court, which Orbih and his supporters threatened, a three-man Electoral Appeal Panel was set up by the national leadership of the party.

On Tuesday the 3rd of May, 2022, the Chairman and two other members of the Appeal Panel arrived in Benin City to address grievances arising from the congress held across the 192 wards in Edo State to elect 576 Adhoc delegates ahead of the party primaries.

Addressing party members at the PDP Secretariat in Benin City, Chairman of the Edo PDP Ward Congresses Electoral Appeal Panel, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi, said the committee has commenced work, promising to ensure justice for all aggrieved parties.