The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the October 31 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention planned by the PDP for Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
In a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP.
The court held that the appeal by the PDP was without merit and that the Federal High Court was right to have delivered the October 31 judgment and granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
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The Court of Appeal faulted the PDP’s claim that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case on the grounds that the issues involved were solely the internal affairs of the party.
The court also held that the plaintiffs had the locus standi (the right) to institute the suit to protect their democratic rights and that the PDP was not denied fair hearing, as it claimed in its appeal.
The court further awarded the sum of N2 million as costs against the PDP (Turaki group) for filing a frivolous appeal. The court will hear other Judgements and rulings of the party.
Some PDP leaders from both sides were present as the appellate court delivered judgement on Monday.
Our correspondent sighted the group led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and the other led by Abdulrahman Mohammed in court.
The National Secretary of the Mohammed-led national working committee, Samuel Anyanwu, was also seen exchanging pleasantries with Turaki.
Delivering judgement in October 2025 in a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the party, the judge restrained INEC from accepting a report on the outcome of any national convention of the party without following the due process of the law, as well as its guidelines and regulations.
The judge held that INEC is not entitled to give effect to the convention if a party has not done so in accordance with the Constitution, Electoral Act, and the guidelines/regulations of political parties.
The plaintiffs instituted the suit seeking to stop the planned November 15 and 16, 2025, National Convention of PDP scheduled for Ibadan in Oyo State, where new National Officers are expected to be elected on the grounds of breach of the party’s Constitution.
The nine defendants are, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party, Umar Bature, National Organizing Secretary of the party, National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
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