Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, led by former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The plaintiffs are seeking to compel INEC to officially recognize the Kabir/Tanimu Turaki-led interim National Working Committee (NWC) and update the party’s leadership records on its website.
Proceedings featured exchanges over representation and joinder applications. Counsel for the PDP, Sunday Ameh (SAN), applied to strike out the party’s name as the 8th plaintiff, arguing that the PDP did not authorize the suit or engage lead counsel Chris Uche (SAN). He also sought a change of counsel.
Chris Uche (SAN) opposed the application, describing it as misconceived and frivolous. He argued that a party cannot act as both plaintiff and defendant simultaneously.
Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), representing Mohammed Abdulrahman (National Chairman of the Wike-aligned faction), Samuel Anyanwu, and Karmardeen Ajibade (SAN), urged the court to join them as interested parties. He noted they were validly elected at an INEC-recognized National Convention.
Chris Uche countered, dismissing them as “busybodies and meddlesome interlopers” with no real interest, stressing that only INEC has the duty to enforce court judgments under Section 287 of the Constitution.
Joseph Daudu (SAN), counsel to Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Turnah George (seeking joinder as 5th to 7th defendants), argued that decisions from the Federal High Court in Ibadan and the Supreme Court confer vested rights on his clients, warranting their inclusion.
After listening to all submissions, Justice Salim Ibrahim reserved ruling on the joinder applications and judgment in the substantive suit.
The suit arises from the protracted leadership crisis in the PDP, with rival factions contesting control of the party’s National Working Committee.
The Wabara-led BoT maintains that INEC is legally obligated to recognize the Turaki interim NWC to stabilize the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Plaintiffs include Senator Adolphus Wabara (BoT Chairman), Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief Olabode George, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Dame Esther Uduehi, and the PDP itself. INEC is the sole defendant.
