The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging a Federal High Court judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a unanimous decision on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues raised for determination against the PDP.
The panel held that the appeal lacked merit and affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja ruling that Justice James Omotosho was right to deliver the October 31 judgment and grant all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The appellate court rejected the PDP’s argument that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter on the grounds that it concerned the internal affairs of the party.
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It also held that the plaintiffs had the locus standi to institute the suit to protect their democratic rights and ruled that the PDP was not denied fair hearing, contrary to the party’s claim in its appeal.
The court further ordered the PDP (Turaki group) to pay ₦2 million in costs for filing what it described as a frivolous appeal. It also indicated that it would hear other pending appeals on judgments and rulings relating to the party.
Several PDP leaders were present in court as the judgment was delivered.
Among those sighted were members of the faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and another group led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The National Secretary of the Mohammed-led National Working Committee, Samuel Anyanwu, was also seen exchanging pleasantries with Turaki in court.
Background
Justice Omotosho had, in October 2025, delivered judgment in a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the party.
The court restrained INEC from accepting any report on the outcome of a national convention conducted by the party without strict compliance with due process, including adherence to the law, party guidelines and regulations.
The judge ruled that INEC cannot give effect to the outcome of any convention conducted in violation of the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and relevant guidelines governing political parties.
The plaintiffs had approached the court to stop the PDP’s planned national convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, where new national officers were expected to be elected, alleging that the process violated provisions of the party’s constitution.
The defendants in the suit include INEC, the PDP, the party’s National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
