From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
An expert in in election matters, Kalu Agu, has predicted landslide victory for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, 2024 Edo State gubernatorial contest.
Agu, who is also a lawyer, noted that the people of Edo State are strongly in support of the PDP, owing to the massive achievements of Governor Godwin Obaseki administration on the platform of the opposition party.
The legal practitioner, who spoke in a television programme,, explained that issues surrounding the
PDP adhoc delegates congresses are domestic matters of the party, which are not justiciable under the laws of Nigeria and by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court
According to him, “From all analysis the people of Edo State are supporting PDP heavily. The PDP is doing very well in Edo State under Governor Obaseki especially because of the numerous developmental projects of the governor. All the PDP needs to do now is to come together and consolidate on the support. Once they are united, the PDP will take the APC to the cleaners in the forthcoming election.
“Nobody wants to risk having the APC in Edo State. What is happening in Nigeria today under the leadership of the APC is a clear signal that Nigerians across the country have rejected APC.
“Today, Nigerians in all parts of the country are crying and dying of hunger; there are killings, kidnapping and banditry across the land. That is why there is agitation against the APC everywhere including in Edo State. Let the PDP come together and present a candidate because the people of Edo State are behind them.’
Agu admonished aggrieved stakeholders in the PDP to sheathe their swords in the general interest of the people of Edo State. He also observed that such issues are domestic affairs of the Party which are not justiciable
“My advice to the members of PDP in Edo State is for them to come together as one family. In a contest like this, there will always be one winner and once the winner emerges, others should rally round and support him.
“There are plethora of authorities that issues of primary are domestic affairs of a Party more especially the issue of the ad hoc delegates. These are none justiciable issues.
“The Supreme Court has held that the Court has no business on issues of those who emerge as ad hoc delegates of a Party. Section 84 (15) of the Electoral Act, 2022 is very clear in stating that no court in this country is empowered to stop the primary election of any Party or even the general election”.