- Court Declines To Compel INEC To Recognise Turaki-Led PDP
- Wabara: Judgement Direct Affront On Appeal, Supreme Courts
- PDP Faction: Victory Delayed, Struggle Continues
Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s reported path to the 2027 presidential election suffered a significant setback after a Federal High Court declined to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Mohammed Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The ruling is seen as a blow to the faction of the PDP that had hoped a favourable judgment would strengthen its claim to the party’s leadership ahead of preparations for the 2027 general election.
Salim Ibrahim, the Presiding Judge, dismissed the suit filed by the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP faction holding that the reliefs sought could not be granted in the manner requested.
The ruling punctures the political future decisions taken by the Turaki-led faction, including its nomination of former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
TheMatrix Newspaper reporrts that in May, the Turaki-led PDP faction announced Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election after his candidacy was ratified at a special national convention held at the party’s office in Area 10, Garki district, Abuja.
The plaintiffs in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, are Wabara, former senate president; Muazu Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger state; Jerry Gana, former minister of information; and Olabode George, ex-deputy national chairman of the PDP.
Others are Maryam Ciroma, former minister of women affairs; Zainab Maina, former minister of women affairs and social development; Dame Esther Uduehi, a member of PDP BoT; as well as the PDP itself.
INEC was the sole defendant in the case.
The plaintiffs sought an order directing the INEC to publish on its official website the composition of the party’s interim NWC led by Turaki, as forwarded to it by the national executive committee (NEC).
They asked the court to determine whether, by virtue of the provisions of Article 32 of the PDP constitution, INEC was not obligated to recognise to the interim NWC as forwarded by the NEC.
In his ruling, the judge held that the joinder applications were meritorious, as the applicant’s interests would be affected by the outcome of the suit.
Ibrahim held that the plaintiffs were attempting to use the suit to resurrect issues that had already been determined by various courts.
The judge also held that the evidence before the court established that the plaintiffs lacked the authority to institute the action in the name of the party.
He said the suit had become a mere academic exercise, as there was evidence that the PDP convention which produced the Mohammed-led executives was duly monitored by INEC.
The judge granted the joinder applications filed by the Wike-backed PDP faction and struck out PDP as the eighth plaintiff.
The presiding judge upheld the preliminary objections and struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.
Citing provisions of section 83(6)(b) of the Electoral Act 2026, the judge imposed a cost of N70 million against the plaintiffs in favour of the first to seventh defendants.
He also ordered the plaintiffs’ counsel to personally pay a cost of N10 million.
Meanwhile, the Wabara-led BoT has rejected the judgment of the court.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by Wabara, the BoT described the judgment as “a direct affront” to the authority of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, insisting that the ruling undermines the integrity of the judiciary and the rule of law.
The Board expressed “utter dismay” over the decision, arguing that the High Court failed to compel INEC to comply with what it described as extant judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court regarding the party’s leadership.
According to the BoT, the High Court exceeded its jurisdiction by making pronouncements that contradicted decisions of the appellate courts.
“It is rather strange that the High Court went beyond its bounds and arrogated itself powers to make pronouncements over and above the pronouncements of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court by recognizing the actions of individuals whose suspension and expulsion from the party had been upheld by the two superior courts,” the statement read.
The PDP BoT also faulted the court for allegedly making pronouncements in favour of individuals who were not parties to the suit.
“Equally strange is that the High Court went outside the issues before it to make pronouncements in favour of individuals that were not parties in the case,” it stated.
Insisting that the judgment “cannot stand in the face of the law,” the Board said it would pursue all legal avenues to challenge the ruling and ensure that justice prevails.
“It is clear that this judgment against the PDP and democracy in Nigeria cannot stand in the face of the law. The BoT is therefore determined to take every step within the ambit of the law to ensure that justice is done in the matter,” Wabara said.
The party appealed to its members and supporters to remain calm and focused, assuring them that the Board would convene an emergency meeting within days to determine its next course of action and brief Nigerians on the outcome.
Similarly, the INWC has vowed to challenge the Federal High Court judgment striking out a suit seeking its recognition, declaring that its “victory may be postponed, but the struggle continues.”
Reacting to the judgment, the Turaki-led camp said it respected the decision but disagreed with the court’s conclusions, insisting that the ruling was inconsistent with existing judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
“While we respect the judgment of the trial court, we respectfully consider that it is against the extant judgments of the Appeal and apex courts, leaving the plaintiffs with no option but to appeal the judgment and the rulings therein,” the faction said in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong.
The group disclosed that it had already instructed its lawyers to file an appeal against the judgment.
“We have accordingly briefed our lawyers to take immediate steps to appeal the rulings and judgment,” the statement added.
Expressing optimism about the outcome of the appeal, the faction said it remained confident that the courts would ultimately uphold what it described as “truth over lies” and safeguard Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
“We are hopeful that as we climb the ladder of the law upwards, the victory of truth over lies, principles over compromise and the survival of true opposition and multi-party democracy will be assured,” the statement read.
The group added: “The politics of power, money and greed may last for a while, but we are certain that though our victory may be postponed, as the struggle continues, we will eventually attain it. Aluta continua, Victoria ascerta!”
The judgment marks the latest development in the protracted leadership crisis within the PDP, as rival factions continue to battle for control of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
