An aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for August 16th National Assembly by-election for Edo Central Senatorial District, Festus Edogun has approached the Federal High Court in Benin City to seek the nullification of the July 21, 2025 primary election conducted in the state
Edogun, in the suit filed by Omorodion Ehigiator, Esq., alleges that there were irregularities during the exercise.
The defendants in the suit include Prince Joseph Okojie, candidate of the PDP; the PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Edogun wants the court to determine “whether having due regard to the combined effect of the provisions of section 65(1)(a) & 2(a) & (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended and paragraphs 1, 2(a), (b) & (c) of the 2d Defendant’s Electoral Guidelines For Primary Elections, 2022, the 20d Defendant was not manifestly wrong in disqualifying the Plaintiff from participating in the 2nd Defendant’s primary election held on 21st July, 2025 for selecting 2nd defendant’s candidate for the Edo Central Senatorial District Bye-Election scheduled for the 16th August, 2025.”
The plaintiff is also asking the court to decide “Whether the disqualification or non-clearance of the Plaintiff for the primary election held on the 21st of July, 2025 is not violative of section65(1)(a) & 2(a) & (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended and paragraphs 1, 2(a), (b) & (c) of the 2nd Defendant’s Electoral Guidelines For Primary Elections, 2022, thereby nullifying the 2nd Defendant’s primary election conducted on the 21st of July, 2025.”
Edogun prayed the court to declare that “the disqualification or non-clearance of the Plaintiff to participate in the 2nd Defendant’s primary election held in Edo Central Senatorial District on the 21st of July, 2025 to select the 2nd Defendant’s candidate for the Edo Central Senatorial Bye-Election scheduled for the 16th of August, 2025 is unconstitutional, wrongful, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
He is also seeking the court to hold that, “the 2nd Defendant’s Appeal Committee’s failure and/or refusal to hear the Plaintiff’s appeal in compliance with the mandatory provisions of 2nd Defendant’s guidelines is unconstitutional and violative of Plaintiff’s right to fair hearing guaranteed by Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.”
Furthermore, the plaintiff is praying the court for a declaration that “the Edo Central Senatorial District Bye-Election held on the 21st of July, 2025 to select the 2nd Defendant’s candidate for the Edo Central Senatorial District Bye-Election scheduled for the 16th of August, 2025 is unconstitutional, invalid, null and void and of no effect whatsoever by reason of the unlawful disqualification of the Plaintiff from the election.”
He wants the court to “set aside the 2nd Defendant’s aforesaid primary election held in Edo Central Senatorial District on 21st July, 2025.”
The plaintiff also seeks “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd Defendant from according recognition to the 1st Defendant as the 2nd Defendant’s candidate for the aforesaid Edo Central Senatorial District Election scheduled for 16th August, 2025.”
ThisNigeria reports that no date has been set for the case.
