Eniola Yekini
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal filed by the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees and some founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, seeking recognition of the Interim National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
The Special Panel of the Court of Appeal delivered judgment on Wednesday in the suit, Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/1221/2026, filed by Senator Adolphus Wabara and seven others against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and six others.
The appeal sought, among other reliefs, an order vacating the judgment of the Federal High Court which refused to direct INEC to recognise the Interim National Working Committee led by Turaki as constituted by the National Executive Committee meeting convened after the judgment of the Supreme Court.
The panel, presided over by Justice Ugochukwu Anthony Ogakwu, JCA, with Justice Laja Balogun, JCA, and Justice Ruquayat Oremei Ayoola, JCA, who read the judgment, upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Salim and dismissed the appeal.
Reacting to the judgment in a press statement, the Interim National Working Committee said it respects the decision of the court but would challenge it at the Supreme Court.
The statement was signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, Comrade Ini Ememobong.
“While we respect the judgment of the court, we are determined to take our quest for justice anchored on truth to the apex court in the land. It is our belief that no matter how deep the truth is buried, if those seeking it are persistent in digging, it will one day resurface,” Ememobong said.
He disclosed that lawyers to the appellants have been instructed to immediately file an appeal before the Supreme Court.
“We have instructed our lawyers to immediately file an appeal before the Supreme Court, in the hope that justice will eventually be done,” he said.
Ememobong insisted that the PDP must remain a credible opposition and not become an appendage of the ruling party.
“The Peoples Democratic Party must as an opposition party, offer alternative to the ruling party, and not become an appendage of it. Democracy survives only when the opposition is strong enough to effectively engage the government,” he stated.
He urged members of the party to remain firm and resolute as the case moves to the apex court.
“We urge all our members to remain firm and resolute as we approach the highest court of the land. We trust that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that when this victory is finally won, the pains we are passing through will make a good story for the survival of multiparty democracy and the next generation,” Ememobong added.
The judgment is the latest development in the protracted leadership tussle rocking the PDP over the composition of its National Working Committee and the recognition of its leadership by INEC.