Court of Appeal Dismisses Suit Seeking Recognition of Turaki-Led PDP Interim NWC
By Reporter
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Wednesday dismissed an appeal 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).
The three-member special panel, presided over by Justice Ugochukwu Anthony Ogakwu, alongside Justices Laja Balogun and Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola, dismissed the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1221/2026.
The appeal was filed by Senator Adolphus Wabara and seven others against INEC and six other respondents.
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 set aside an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Justice Salim, which declined to compel INEC to recognise the interim leadership led by Turaki.
The interim committee was constituted following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting convened after a Supreme Court judgment on the protracted leadership dispute within the opposition party.
However, in its Wednesday judgment, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Federal High Court in its entirety, effectively dismissing the appellants’ case.
Reacting to the ruling, the National Publicity Secretary of the Interim NWC, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the group respected the decision but would challenge it at the Supreme Court.
In a statement published on the party’s X handle, Ememobong said the group remained determined to pursue what it described as its quest for justice.
“We are determined to take our quest for justice anchored on truth to the apex court in the land. It is our belief that no matter how deep the truth is buried, if those seeking it are persistent in digging, it will one day resurface,” he said.
He disclosed that the group’s legal team had been directed to immediately commence the process of filing an appeal before the Supreme Court.
“We have instructed our lawyers to immediately file an appeal before the Supreme Court, in the hope that justice will eventually be done,” he added.
The interim leadership also used the opportunity to reiterate the importance of a strong and independent opposition in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
It argued that the PDP, as the country’s main opposition party, must remain a credible political alternative rather than become an appendage of the ruling party.
“The PDP, as the main opposition party, must provide a credible alternative to the ruling party and not become its appendage,” the statement declared.
“Democracy survives only when the opposition is strong enough to effectively engage the government.”
The group consequently appealed to PDP members to remain steadfast as the legal battle moves to the Supreme Court, expressing optimism that the final outcome would strengthen multiparty democracy in Nigeria.
Wednesday’s ruling represents another setback in the PDP’s protracted leadership crisis, which has been characterised by rival claims to the party’s national leadership, control of its structures and legitimacy of competing factions.
