Appeal Court Upholds Judgment Stopping INEC From Recognizing PDP Convention

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has rejected an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging a previous court ruling that stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the party’s planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The PDP convention had been scheduled to take place on November 15 and 16.

In its decision, a three-member panel of the appellate court unanimously ruled against the PDP on all four issues raised in the appeal.

The court said the appeal lacked merit and upheld the earlier judgment delivered on October 31 by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to the appeal court, the lower court acted properly when it granted the requests made by the plaintiffs and issued an order preventing INEC from recognising the outcome of the convention.

The judges also dismissed the PDP’s argument that the Federal High Court had no authority to hear the case because it involved the party’s internal affairs.

The court ruled that the plaintiffs had the legal right to file the suit in order to protect their democratic rights.

It also rejected the PDP’s claim that it was denied fair hearing during the trial.

The court also ordered the PDP, particularly the Turaki group, to pay N2 million as costs for filing a frivolous appeal.

Other related rulings concerning the party are expected to be heard later.

Several PDP leaders from different factions were present in court when the judgment was delivered on Monday.

Among them were members of the group led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and another faction headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed.

The National Secretary aligned with the Mohammed-led National Working Committee, Samuel Anyanwu, was also seen exchanging greetings with Turaki.

The case originated from a suit filed by three members of the party who opposed the planned convention.

In October 2025, Justice Omotosho ruled that INEC should not accept the outcome of any PDP national convention that fails to follow the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and other relevant guidelines.

The judge also stated that INEC cannot recognise a convention if the party fails to comply with the proper legal procedures.

The plaintiffs had asked the court to stop the November 2025 convention in Ibadan, where new national officers were expected to be elected, arguing that the process violated the party’s constitution.

Those listed as defendants in the case include INEC, the PDP, the party’s National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee, as well as Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.

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