The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed a Federal High Court judgment that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

In November 2025, the PDP, with the backing of Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, convened the national convention that elected a new set of national officers, with Kabiru Turaki as chairman.

Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had, on October 31, 2025, restrained INEC from recognising the outcome of the national convention.

In a unanimous judgment on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP.

It held that the PDP’s appeal was without merit and that the Federal High Court was right to enter the October 31, 2025 judgment and to grant all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

The court faulted the PDP’s claim that the trial court lacked jurisdiction.

According to the appellate court, the plaintiffs had the legal standing to institute the suit as part of efforts to protect their democratic rights.

The court further rejected the PDP’s claim that it was denied a fair hearing during the proceedings at the trial court.

As part of its ruling, the appellate court ordered the PDP faction led by Mr Turaki to pay N2 million as costs, describing the appeal as frivolous.

During the convention, some members loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, were suspended. The suspended members challenged their sack in court.

On December 22, 2025, the Independent INEC rejected requests by the Turaki-led team to recognise the party’s new National Working Committee (NWC), citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

The INEC referenced two Federal High Court rulings in Abuja in October and November 2025, which restrained it from giving effect to the outcome of the Ibadan convention.

The electoral commission noted that pending appeals did not automatically stay the execution of these judgments and emphasised that it remained bound by the law.

The Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the convention and barred Mr Turaki and other officials who emerged from the exercise from acting as national officers of the party.

The Turaki’s PDP caucus also insisted there was no cause for alarm and maintained that its leadership structure remained intact.

Following the decision, the party announced that it had instructed its lawyers to file an appeal and pursue all available legal options to defend its position.

(NAN)