The Court of Appeal has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan.
The appellate court also dismissed the PDP’s appeal challenging an earlier judgment that restrained INEC from acknowledging the convention results.
In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel on Monday, the court ruled that the appeal lacked merit and affirmed the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, which had granted all reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
According to the panel, the lower court acted within its powers in issuing the order preventing INEC from recognising the convention’s outcome. The justices also rejected the party’s argument that the dispute was purely an internal matter and thus outside the court’s jurisdiction.
The court held that the plaintiffs had legal standing to approach the court, emphasizing that their action aimed to protect their democratic rights within the party. It also dismissed PDP’s complaint that it had been denied a fair hearing during the proceedings.
Consequently, the appellate court imposed a N2 million cost on the faction linked to Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, describing the appeal as frivolous.
The ruling upholds the earlier judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, which had restrained INEC from recognising the outcome of the national convention.
Several party leaders from rival camps attended the court session, with observers noting the presence of groups loyal to Turaki as well as those aligned with Abdulrahman Mohammed.
Meanwhile, the National Secretary of the Mohammed-led National Working Committee, Samuel Anyanwu, was seen exchanging pleasantries with Turaki shortly before proceedings concluded.
