THE FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has ordered an accelerated hearing of a suit filed by the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the party’s interim National Working Committee (NWC) headed by Kabir Turaki (SAN).
Justice Salim Ibrahim gave the directive on Friday after counsel to the plaintiffs, Gordy Uche (SAN), informed the court that the matter was time-sensitive in view of INEC’s timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to direct INEC to update its records and official website to reflect the Turaki-led interim NWC, whose composition was reportedly forwarded to the commission through letters dated May 4.
They are also seeking an order compelling the electoral body to recognise and engage with the interim leadership as the valid leadership structure of the PDP.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, was filed on June 4 by a legal team led by Chris Uche (SAN). The plaintiffs include Wabara, former Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, former Information Minister Jerry Gana, PDP chieftain, Olabode George, and other members of the party’s BoT, alongside the PDP itself.
Proceedings on Friday were dominated by disputes over legal representation and applications by several individuals seeking to join the case.
While Gordy Uche announced his appearance for all the plaintiffs, including the PDP, Sunday Ameh (SAN) also appeared for the party and informed the court that he had filed a notice to replace existing counsel. He further sought the removal of the PDP as a plaintiff, arguing that the party had not authorised the lawsuit.
Additional applications for joinder were filed by lawyers representing individuals aligned with rival PDP factions.
Adedayo Adedeji (SAN) sought to join the case on behalf of Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna and Turnah George, while George Ibrahim (SAN) appeared for Mohammed Abdulrahman, Samuel Anyanwu and Adeyemi Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), who are associated with a faction loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The applicants urged the court to first determine the joinder applications before proceeding with the substantive case.
Counsel to the plaintiffs did not oppose hearing the applications first but indicated that he would challenge both the joinder requests and the attempt to remove the PDP from the suit.
INEC, represented by O. A. Adeyemi, confirmed receipt of the originating summons and other court processes. The commission stated that it would not oppose the applications for joinder and would leave the issue of PDP representation to the court’s discretion.
Justice Ibrahim subsequently adjourned the matter until June 30 for the hearing of the applications for joinder, the notice of change of counsel, and the motion seeking the removal of the PDP as a plaintiff.
Stressing the urgency of the case, the judge abridged the timelines for filing court processes and warned all parties against any delay.
The suit is the latest development in the prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP. It follows a June 3 Court of Appeal judgment that overturned key aspects of an earlier Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan which had recognised a caretaker committee aligned with another faction of the party.
The appellate court held that the lower court granted reliefs that were not sought by any of the parties.
In the substantive suit, the Wabara-led BoT argues that INEC is constitutionally obligated to give effect to a series of judgments delivered by the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court concerning the PDP’s leadership dispute.
The plaintiffs contend that those judgments nullified the party’s November 2025 national convention, upheld the suspension of several key party officials, and created a leadership vacuum that necessitated the establishment of an interim NWC.
According to an affidavit filed by former Governor Aliyu, the party’s BoT and National Executive Committee subsequently constituted the Turaki-led interim NWC and formally communicated the development to INEC.
He alleged that despite receiving the relevant notifications and court decisions, the electoral commission failed to update its records or recognise the interim leadership.
The plaintiffs maintain that INEC’s continued recognition of officials they consider suspended or expelled is contrary to binding court judgments and undermines the rule of law.
They are therefore asking the court to compel the commission to recognise the interim NWC and accept all official communications from the body pending the conduct of a valid national convention.
