Philip Shaibu speaks as court nullifies Edo Guber primary elections
Former Edo State Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu has declared his vindication following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the governorship primary election of Edo State.
Reacting to Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo’s judgment on Thursday, Shaibu criticised the February 22, 2024, primary as devoid of legal legitimacy, dismissing it as a mere formality without any legal standing.
He reiterated his longstanding assertion that the PDP had undermined internal democracy through fraudulent practices during the purported primary held at Benin’s Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Shaibu contended that the delegates who supported him in the parallel primary were the rightful representatives, duly selected by the people to nominate the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate.
Regarding speculations about his potential defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Shaibu defended the move, emphasising that democracy thrives on broad participation.
He contrasted the inclusive approach of parties seeking to expand their ranks with the exclusionary tactics he accused the PDP of employing, suggesting they aimed to manipulate elections.
Justice Ekwo’s ruling invalidated the PDP primary due to the unlawful exclusion of 378 delegates who were entitled to vote, underscoring the judicial rebuke of the process.
