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. This decision deals another setback to efforts to resolve the party's lingering leadership crisis. The appellate court's judgment was delivered on Wednesday, upholding the decision of the Federal High Court.
The three-member special panel, presided over by Justice Ugochukwu Anthony Ogakwu, dismissed the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1221/2026. The appeal was instituted by Senator Adolphus Wabara and seven others against INEC and six other respondents. They sought an order compelling INEC to recognise the interim committee led by Kabiru Turaki.
The appellants, comprising the Chairman and members of the PDP Board of Trustees and some founding members of the party, had approached the appellate court to overturn a ruling by Justice Salim of the Federal High Court. The interim NWC emerged following a National Executive Committee meeting convened after a Supreme Court judgment on the party's leadership dispute.
The Court of Appeal found no reason to interfere with the lower court's decision and consequently dismissed the appeal, affirming the Federal High Court judgment in its entirety. Reacting to the ruling, the National Publicity Secretary of the interim NWC, Ini Ememobong, said the group accepted the court's decision but would proceed to challenge it at the Supreme Court.
In a statement published on the party's X account on Wednesday, Ememobong said the group remained resolute in its pursuit of justice and had directed its legal team to begin the process of appealing the judgment. The interim NWC also used the opportunity to restate its position on the importance of an independent and effective opposition in Nigeria's democratic system.
The PDP must retain its capacity to challenge the ruling party and provide Nigerians with a credible political alternative rather than become an extension of the government. The interim committee urged PDP members to remain committed despite the latest legal setback, expressing optimism that the Supreme Court would ultimately deliver justice and help strengthen multiparty democracy.
Wednesday's judgment represents another twist in the protracted leadership dispute within the PDP, which has produced rival claims to the party's national leadership and control of its structures. The decision also means the interim NWC will have to pursue its recognition bid before the Supreme Court as the battle over the party's leadership continues.
Key points
- The Court of Appeal's decision is a setback to the PDP's efforts to resolve its leadership crisis.
- The interim NWC will proceed to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court.
- The PDP's leadership dispute continues, with rival claims to the party's national leadership and control of its structures.
