The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the October 31, 2025 judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP’s planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.
Delivering judgment on Monday, March 9, 2026, the appellate court rejected the PDP’s argument that the trial court lacked jurisdiction on the grounds that the matter was an internal affair of the party. The court held that the plaintiffs three aggrieved PDP members had locus standi to institute the suit to protect their democratic rights.
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The appellate court also ruled that the PDP was not denied fair hearing as alleged in the appeal. It described the appeal as frivolous and awarded ₦2 million in costs against the appellant (the Turaki-led faction).
The court will hear other related judgments and rulings concerning the party in due course.
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The original suit, filed by three aggrieved PDP members, sought to stop the Ibadan convention on grounds of breach of the party’s Constitution. The nine defendants included INEC, PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), the National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
In his October 2025 judgment, Justice Omotosho restrained INEC from accepting or giving effect to any report on the outcome of the PDP national convention unless it complied fully with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), and the party’s own guidelines and regulations.
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The appellate court upheld this position, reinforcing that INEC cannot recognise or act on any party convention that fails to follow due process.
The PDP is yet to issue an official reaction, but sources indicate an appeal to the Supreme Court is likely.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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