Court dismisses suit seeking INEC recognition of Turaki-led PDP group
A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The case was brought by Adolphus Wabara and other members of the PDP Board of Trustees, who argued that INEC was constitutionally obliged to recognise their leadership. Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to bring the action and failed to prove that INEC had any legal obligation to recognise the interim committee. The court also imposed a financial penalty on the plaintiffs and their counsel for filing what it described as a frivolous political case.
What we know
- Justice Salim Ibrahim struck out the suit, stating that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi and failed to establish a legal obligation for INEC to recognise the interim committee.
- The suit was filed by Adolphus Wabara, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief Olabode George, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Dame Esther Uduehi, and the PDP.
- The court upheld preliminary objections from INEC and the Wike-backed PDP leadership, who were also joined as defendants.
- Justice Ibrahim awarded N10 million costs against the plaintiffs and ordered their counsel to pay, aiming to discourage frivolous political litigation.
- The judgment is a setback for the Wabara-led Board of Trustees in their bid to secure judicial recognition for the Turaki-led interim NWC amid ongoing PDP leadership disputes.
