Federal High Court for Abuja don strike out suit wey dey seek make Independent National Electoral Commission recognise and publish names of Kabiru Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of Peoples Democratic Party.
Justice Salim Ibrahim wey deliver judgment hold say plaintiffs wey PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara lead no get legal standing to file the suit. So he strike am out for lack of jurisdiction.
The court uphold preliminary objection wey INEC raise and also sustain similar objection from parties wey wan join the matter. Justice rule say plaintiffs no fit show say INEC don recognise the interim NWC or say dem get authority to sue for PDP.
Members of Wabara-led Board of Trustees don go court to force INEC update im records and recognise the factional interim NWC wey Kabiru Turaki head. Dem also want order wey go make electoral commission publish names of interim executives on dem official website.
Plaintiffs argue say dem don forward names of Turaki-led executive members to INEC through letters dated May 4. Dem further claim say based on constitutional provisions and PDP Constitution, the electoral body must recognise and act on correspondence from interim leadership.
Aside from Wabara, other plaintiffs include former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief Olabode George, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Dame Esther Uduehi and PDP. INEC na sole defendant for the suit wey dem file on June 4 through legal team wey Chris Uche lead.
But faction of party wey align with Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike challenge court jurisdiction and seek to join the case. The group wey National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed lead maintain say dem be authentic PDP leadership and argue say plaintiffs lack locus standi.
Before substantive judgment, Justice Ibrahim grant joinder applications hold say applicants interest go affect by outcome of suit. Court then uphold all preliminary objections and strike out case, describe am as abuse of court process.
Justice Ibrahim hold say plaintiffs dey try relitigate issues wey various courts don already determine. Court also strike out PDP name from suit, hold say plaintiffs no get party authorisation to institute action for im name.
According to judge, the suit invite court to make orders wey go undermine existing judgments. He further hold say matter don become academic, noting say evidence show say PDP convention wey produce Mohammed-led executives na INEC duly monitor.
“The court does not decide hypothetical or academic questions,” Justice Ibrahim hold. Judge also rule say suit incompetent because dem commence am by Originating Summons despite contentious nature of dispute.
Court also take cognisance of existing judgments wey nullify PDP convention wey hold for Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16, wey produce Turaki-led executives. Justice Ibrahim uphold respondents arguments and dismiss suit.
Court invoke provisions of Section 83(6)(b) of Electoral Act 2026 and impose cost of N70 million against plaintiffs, in favour of 1st to 7th defendants. Court also order plaintiffs counsel to personally pay cost of N10 million. The court say essence of cost award na to discourage filing of frivolous pre-election suits.
