The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Turaki. The three-member special panel delivered the judgment in an appeal filed by Senator Adolphus Wabara and seven others against INEC and six other respondents. The appeal was marked CA/ABJ/CV/1221/2026.
The appellants, including the Chairman and members of the PDP Board of Trustees and some founding members, had asked the court to set aside a Federal High Court judgment that declined to compel INEC to recognise the Interim National Working Committee led by Turaki. The interim committee was constituted following a National Executive Committee meeting held after a Supreme Court judgment on the party's leadership dispute.
The Court of Appeal upheld the Federal High Court's decision and dismissed the appeal in its entirety. Reacting to the judgment, the National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the group respected the court's decision but would challenge it at the Supreme Court. The group remains committed to pursuing what it describes as justice.
Ememobong stated that the group would take their quest for justice to the apex court, believing that truth would eventually resurface. The group's lawyers have been instructed to immediately commence the process of appealing the judgment before the Supreme Court. The PDP's leadership crisis continues, with competing claims over the control of the party's national leadership and structures.
The interim NWC urged party members to remain steadfast as the legal battle moves to the Supreme Court, expressing confidence that the eventual outcome would strengthen multiparty democracy in the country. A strong opposition party is crucial to Nigeria's democratic development, and the PDP must remain independent and capable of holding the ruling party accountable.
Meanwhile, a PDP chieftain in Plateau State, Hon. Aminu Zang, has rejected his inclusion in the All Progressives Congress 2027 Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council in the state, insisting that he remains a member of the opposition party. Zang's name reportedly appeared on the published list of the APC Campaign Council's Central Planning Committee, but he claims he was neither consulted nor informed.
Zang released a statement, reiterating his allegiance to the PDP and the Rainbow Coalition. He appreciated those who considered him worthy of inclusion but stated that he remains an unrepentant and committed member of the PDP. The development highlights the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP and the complexities of Nigeria's party politics.
Key points
- The Court of Appeal's decision dismisses an appeal seeking recognition of the Interim National Working Committee of the PDP led by Kabiru Turaki.
- The Interim National Working Committee plans to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court.
- A PDP chieftain, Hon. Aminu Zang, rejects his inclusion in the APC's campaign council, affirming his allegiance to the PDP.
