There was mild drama at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday as two lawyers appeared for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a suit filed by the Board of Trustees (BoT) led by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, against the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The suit, before Justice Salim Ibrahim, is seeking an order compelling INEC to recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP on its official website and records.
The BoT and the PDP jointly filed the fresh originating summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, which was instituted on June 4 by a legal team led by Chief Chris Uche (SAN).
The plaintiffs are asking the court to direct INEC to immediately update its records and publish the interim NWC of the party as forwarded to it by the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC). They argued that the list of Kabiru Turaki-led NWC members was submitted to the electoral body through letters dated May 4.
Among the plaintiffs are former Senate President Adolphus Wabara; BoT Secretary and former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu; former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; and PDP chieftain, Chief Olabode George, among others.
Also joined in the suit are former Ministers Maryam Ciroma and Zainab Maina, BoT and NEC member Dame Esther Uduehi, and the PDP itself as 5th to 8th plaintiffs.
However, proceedings took a confusing turn in court as conflicting appearances and representation issues emerged, with both factional interests reportedly present. Among those sighted in court were Tanimu Turaki, identified with a factional leadership of the PDP, and Prof. Jerry Gana.
The case has further highlighted ongoing internal tensions within the opposition party as the court is expected to continue hearing the matter.
Details later.
