In the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Tuesday, two separate lawsuits contesting the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary election outcome, which declared Asue Ighodalo as the gubernatorial candidate for Edo State, were dismissed.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in delivering judgments on both cases, ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to bring forth the action.

The first suit, labeled FHC/ABJ/CS/195/2024, was filed by Adizetu Umoru, while the second suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/196/2024, was initiated by Moses Alabi and Christopher Oboarer.

The plaintiffs named the Independent National Electoral Commission, PDP, Umar Damagu (acting national chairman), Setonji Koshoedo, PDP’s National Working Committee, and its National Executive Committee (NEC) as the 1st to 6th defendants, respectively.

INEC announced that the Edo governorship election will be held on September 21, 2024.

The three plaintiffs, in their separate ex-parte motions dated and filed February 19, specifically sought an interim order of the court restraining the defendants from using the list of ward congresses held in February. 4, for the purpose of conducting the PDP’s primary in Edo State, slated for February 22 or any other date pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.