A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
First Nigerian reports that Justice Salim Ibrahim struck out the case after ruling that the plaintiffs lacked the legal authority to file the action on behalf of the PDP. The court also upheld preliminary objections raised by INEC and the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led PDP faction.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, focused on the PDP leadership dispute and the request for INEC to publish the names of the Turaki-led interim NWC on its official records.
Court Rejects Turaki-Led PDP Leadership Recognition Request
The plaintiffs included former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, former Information Minister Jerry Gana, former PDP Deputy National Chairman Olabode George, and other party stakeholders.
They asked the court to determine whether INEC had a duty to recognise the interim NWC forwarded by the PDP’s national executive committee. They also asked the court to enforce previous judgments linked to the party’s leadership dispute.
However, the PDP faction aligned with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, challenged the suit. The faction applied to join the case and argued that it represented the recognised leadership of the party.
INEC also filed objections against the suit. During the proceedings, the electoral body’s records listed Abdulrahman Mohammed as PDP national chairman alongside other party officials backed by the Wike-aligned faction.
Justice Ibrahim granted the joinder application by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction because the outcome of the case could affect its interests.
The judge ruled that the plaintiffs attempted to reopen issues already decided by previous courts. He also held that the plaintiffs failed to show that they had the authority to sue on behalf of the PDP.
The court further ruled that the matter had become academic after evidence showed that INEC monitored the convention that produced the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led executives.
Consequently, Justice Ibrahim struck out the PDP’s name as a plaintiff, upheld the preliminary objections, and struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.
Jonathan 2027 PDP Presidential Bid
The Turaki-led PDP faction had announced former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
However, the Federal High Court did not rule on Jonathan’s eligibility or directly decide his presidential ambition. The case only examined whether INEC should recognise the Turaki-led PDP leadership structure.
The court awarded N70 million in costs against the plaintiffs under Section 83(6)(b) of the Electoral Act 2026. Justice Ibrahim also ordered the plaintiffs’ counsel to personally pay an additional N10 million.
First Nigerian reports that the ruling followed a legal challenge over PDP leadership recognition and INEC’s role in party records.
