The Supreme Court has ruled that candidates who emerged via the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led faction are the authentic flag bearers of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State.

Justice Centus Nweze delivered the judgement on Wednesday, ending the long-drawn legal battle of supremacy between the governor and the faction backed by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers.


Delivering the judgement in the appeal filed by Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and others against Mathew Iduoriyekemwen and others, the apex court held that the case of the appellant was faulty as it did not emanate from the judgement of the appellate court.

The court in its judgement dismissed the appeal on the grounds that it was incompetent.

The judgement set aside the judgement of the Appeal Court which was in favour of candidates belonging to the Legacy Group of the PDP in Edo State led by the National Vice Chairman of the party, Dan Orbih.

Mr Orbih, a National Vice Chairman, South-South, of the party, is a strong ally of Mr Wike.

The judge held that an appeal must be based on issues contended at the lower court to qualify for review.

“Any ground of appeal that does not challenge issues raised at the lower court is incompetent.

I enter judgement in favour of the respondents,” the apex court held.

The judgement which arose from a consolidation of all cases relating to the leadership tussle has put to rest anxiety as to the right persons to represent the party in the elections.

The battle for control of the PDP apparatus in Edo state between Messrs Obaseki and Orbih took a different dimension when the two groups presented two different lists of aspirants to INEC following parallel primaries conducted by the two factions.

The crux of the matter is who has the power in the primary election for the selection of party flag bearers for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections slated for February 25 and March 11, this year.

Wednesday’s unanimous decision by the supreme court, therefore, means the candidates who emerged from the ward up to the national primaries conducted by the Obaseki faction of the Edo PDP will be fielded for elective positions.


Both Messrs Obaseki and Orbih have been locked in a leadership battle for the soul of the party in Edo State.

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had in May last year recognised Mr Orbih’s faction as the authentic candidates, another in Benin City, gave recognition to Mr Obaseki’s faction.

Both also appealed the judgement of the trial court entered against them at the Court of Appeal.

Speaking with reporters shortly after the judgement was delivered, Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of the state who was in court to witness the proceedings, expressed joy that the matter has been finally put to rest.

He called on all PDP members to close ranks to deliver for the party in all the elections, stating that there was no winner or loser as the victory was for the PDP.

Mr Shuaibu urged aggrieved parties to embrace peace and said that the umbrella is now widened to accommodate all.

https://gazettengr.com/edo-pdp-tussle-obasekis-faction-triumph-over-wikes-men-at-supreme-court/

Serious?

Wile should call Atiku now before he got finally disgrace in the February 25th presidential poll.

AllTheWayUp:
I pity Dan Orbih that was following Wike like a fool, now he is now a political orphan in Edo state, he can't go to APC where u have his worst enemy Oshiomole.
Obaseki will definitely accept him into his PDP faction in Edo state

You are not wise ..

You think these politicians care ?

Atiku that has been moving from one party to another like a pendulum isn’t an orphan?

These people will keep regrouping to eat our resources ..

Eitherway , nobody takes the governor seriously again .. I dare him to walk in Oba market without security if he will not be lynched.

Wike prepare to run

vowiski:


You are not wise ..

You think these politicians care ?

Atiku that has been moving from one party to another like a pendulum isn’t an orphan?

These people will keep regrouping to eat our resources ..

Eitherway , nobody takes the governor seriously again .. I dare him to walk in Oba market without security if he will not be lynched.

YAY

AllTheWayUp:

See confused janja-weed fool saying I am not wise
Dan Orbih that needs government money to survive, immediately Wike is gone by May 29th, Dan Orbih will okk for another governor to sustain his livelihood, and Obaseki willbe his first port of call.
No dey cap anyhow like sudanese castrated goat

So e pain you?

But you say person Dey fool around ?

E reach your turn , you begin vex

You are a moronic excuse for being a human being!

AllTheWayUp:

See confused janja-weed fool saying I am not wise
Dan Orbih that needs government money to survive, immediately Wike is gone by May 29th, Dan Orbih will look for another governor to sustain his livelihood, and Obaseki will be his first port of call.
Do you information reconciliation move between Obaseki faction and Dan Orbih faction have started this morning in Benin, being spearheaded by Dokpesi, Tom Ikimi and Lucky Igbinedion.
No dey cap anyhow like sudanese castrated goat

You too get time for urchin..

No Dey explain give them..they don’t even understand the information you’re passing ..

On Wike and his plans ..the idiot failed again.. na to carry stadium go house remain.


Power to the people
PDP

Congratulations to them.

Wike is wicked.

Wike losing on all front.

Shebi he wan support Tinubu?

Let him go ahead…

Onye ala!

I keep wondering why Dan Orbih has now perpetually made Rivers State is home. Anytime you see Wike, you will see him there. Let him come back home and unite with other is his party members and move forward.

How can him and Wike be thinking of being the PDP party leader of the state? Something Wike can not take?

A governor is automatically the leader of a party of the state.