Court rejects suit seeking INEC recognition of Turaki-led PDP interim leadership

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize and publish the names of the Kabiru Turaki-led interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dealing another setback to one of the rival factions battling for control of the opposition party.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, who delivered judgment on Friday, held that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the action on behalf of the party. The court consequently struck out the suit for want of jurisdiction.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, was instituted by members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) led by its Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara. Other plaintiffs included former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, elder statesman Professor Jerry Gana, and PDP chieftain Chief Olabode George.

The plaintiffs had asked the court to direct INEC to update its records and officially recognize the Kabiru Turaki-led interim National Working Committee, arguing that the committee’s names had been forwarded to the electoral commission through letters dated May 4, 2026.

According to the plaintiffs, INEC was under a constitutional obligation to reflect the new leadership on its official portal ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), had urged the court to determine the matter expeditiously, citing the electoral timetable and the deadline for political parties to conclude processes relating to candidate nominations.

However, INEC and other defendants challenged the suit, arguing that those who filed the action lacked the authority to represent the PDP.

In his judgment, Justice Ibrahim upheld the preliminary objections, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to establish that they had the constitutional mandate to institute legal proceedings in the name of the party.

The court also held that there was no evidence showing that INEC had formally recognized the Kabiru Turaki-led interim committee as the legitimate leadership of the PDP.

The ruling marks the latest development in the prolonged leadership crisis that has continued to divide Nigeria’s main opposition party.

The crisis has pitched a faction backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, which supports the Kabiru Turaki-led interim leadership, against another faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the party’s mainstream leadership.

The Turaki-led committee emerged following the Supreme Court’s April 30 judgment, which triggered fresh disagreements over the party’s leadership structure. However, the mainstream PDP leadership has consistently rejected the interim arrangement, describing it as unconstitutional and without legal effect.

Friday’s judgment is expected to strengthen the position of the faction currently recognized by INEC while leaving the Turaki-led group facing fresh legal and political hurdles as the PDP prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The latest court decision underscores the deepening divisions within the opposition party, with political observers warning that the prolonged leadership tussle could affect the PDP’s preparations and cohesion ahead of the next electoral cycle if a lasting resolution is not reached.