Breaking: Court Issues Judgment Stopping INEC From Validating PDP Convention
- The Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a Federal High Court ruling restraining INEC from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention
- A three-member panel of the appellate court dismissed the PDP (Turaki group) appeal and ruled that the party’s claims were without merit
- Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the Mohammed-led NWC, was seen engaging with Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as the judgment was delivered
FCT, Abuja - The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court ruling restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention. The convention was scheduled to hold on 15 and 16 November in Ibadan, Oyo state.
The judgment marks a significant legal development for the party, which had appealed against the earlier Federal High Court ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho on 31 October.
Appeal dismissed as court finds PDP claim without merit
A three-member panel of the appellate court delivered a unanimous decision dismissing the PDP’s appeal. The court resolved all four issues raised by the party against the plaintiffs, ruling that the appeal was without merit, Vanguard reported.
The judges upheld the Federal High Court’s decision, affirming that the reliefs granted by the trial court were valid and correctly issued.
Court rules on jurisdiction and standing
The appellate court rejected the PDP’s claim that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, noting that the matters involved went beyond the internal affairs of the party.
The court also confirmed that the plaintiffs had locus standi—the legal right—to bring the suit in order to safeguard their democratic rights. The judges further ruled that the PDP was not denied a fair hearing, countering the party’s claims in the appeal.
In addition to dismissing the appeal, the Court of Appeal ordered the PDP (Turaki group) to pay N2 million in legal costs for pursuing what the court described as a frivolous appeal.
The court indicated that further hearings would examine other judgments and rulings associated with the party, Channels Television reported.
PDP leaders present as judgment delivered
The appellate ruling was delivered in the presence of leaders from both factions of the PDP.
Our correspondent observed the group led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and the faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed attending the court proceedings.
Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary of the Mohammed-led national working committee, was seen exchanging pleasantries with Turaki during the session.
The decision is expected to have a significant impact on the party’s preparations for its internal processes and the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Ex-Bayelsa gov dumps PDP
Legit.ng previously reported that Seriake Dickson, the lawmaker representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District and former governor of Bayelsa state, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The former governor announced his defection during a press conference held at his residence in Abuja on Thursday, March 5. The senator said that the PDP, which once dominated the political landscape of the country, had significantly deteriorated.
Source: Legit.ng
