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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court, which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A three-member appellate panel, led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, dismissed an appeal by a faction of the PDP led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, SAN. The faction had challenged the lower court’s jurisdiction to hear the suit.
The appeal was among nine harmonised cases brought by the Turaki-led faction against the October 31, 2025 Federal High Court judgment, which barred INEC from validating the November 15–16, 2025 convention.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeal confirmed that the Federal High Court had jurisdiction, rejecting claims that the dispute was merely an internal party affair. Justice Onyemenam noted that the PDP failed to comply with constitutional and statutory provisions necessary for a valid national convention.
Key findings by the court included:
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No valid notice of the convention was served on INEC.
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Valid congresses were not conducted in more than 14 states prior to the convention.
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Correspondence issued by the party’s National Chairman without the endorsement of the National Secretary was invalid.
The appellate court stressed that adherence to the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the party’s constitution is essential for democratic governance. “Non-compliance with the Constitution, Electoral Act 2022, and party Constitution and Guidelines are at the heart of democratic governance, and compliance must be strictly enforced in the interest of democracy,” the court held.
Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and N2 million in costs was awarded against the appellants.
The original Federal High Court judgment, delivered by Justice James Omotosho, highlighted that the PDP failed to conduct required congresses in some states and did not issue the mandatory 21-day notice to allow INEC to monitor meetings. The suit was filed by aggrieved PDP members, including Austin Nwachukwu (Imo State PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia State PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary for South-South).
Defendants in the case included INEC, the PDP, the party’s National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Baturrle, the National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
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