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The path for Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to seek re-election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is now clear, after the Federal High court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, struck out the suit restraining him from participating in the party’s governorship primary in the state.
Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama had filed a suit, requesting the court bar Obaseki from partaking in the party’s primary election on the grounds that he did not purchase PDP form or undergo screening within the time-table schedule.
Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, a PDP governorship aspirants, prayed the court that only aspirants who purchased the party’s nomination form and were screened within the stipulated time should be allowed to contest in the primary.
Another High Court in Ekpoma, Edo state, hours later on Tuesday gave an order restraining the PDP from excluding Obaseki from participating in the governorship primary election.
But, early on Wednesday, Justice Emmanuel Obile of the Rivers High Court granted the request of the plaintiff to delay the hearing so as to give the party time to settle the matter out of court.
However, following an out-of-court settlement reached between the parties to the suit and counsel to the aggrieved PDP aspirant made a withdrawal request, Justice Obile struck out the case.
The judge also commended the parties for settling out of court, adding that it was the proper thing to do.
With the above, Governor Obaseki and other aspirants of the PDP will now contest for the party’s ticket, ahead of the September governorship election.
Recall Gideon Ikhine, who was an aspirant stepped down for the governor.
Whoever emerges winner in the PDP primary polls, which is coming up in less than 24 hours, will now go against the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.