Turaki-Led PDP Team Meets Jonathan After Court Setback

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has held a closed-door meeting with the Kabiru Turaki-led interim leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), days after a Federal High Court struck out a suit seeking recognition of the faction by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Turaki, who chairs the PDP Interim National Working Committee (NWC), led the delegation to Jonathan’s Abuja residence on Saturday. Neither the party nor the former president disclosed details of the meeting.

However, party sources said the discussions focused on the implications of the court ruling and possible steps to resolve the party’s protracted leadership crisis.

The meeting followed the Federal High Court’s decision to strike out a suit filed by the PDP Board of Trustees, which sought an order directing INEC to recognise the Turaki-led interim NWC and update its records accordingly.

Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the case and that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain it, noting that INEC had monitored the convention that produced the rival leadership it currently recognises.

A source familiar with the meeting said the delegation briefed Jonathan on the judgment and sought his views on the way forward for the opposition party.

The consultation comes as the PDP continues efforts to resolve its internal leadership dispute and reposition ahead of future electoral contests.