By EDITH NWAPI

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 convention held from Nov. 15 to Nov. 16, 2025.

On Oct. 31, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja restrained INEC 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 appeal by the PDP was without merit and that the Federal High Court was right to have entered the Oct. 31, 2025 judgment and granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

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

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

NAN reports that the Ibadan convention had produced a leadership team led by Turaki.

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

On Dec. 22, 2025, INEC rejected requests by the Turaki-led team that the commission 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 sitting in Abuja had nullified the convention and barred Turaki and other officials who emerged from the exercise from acting as national officers of the party.

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)

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