The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the October 31 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention which held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
In a unanimous judgment on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP.
It held that the appeal by the PDP was without merit and that the Federal High Court was right to have entered the October 31 judgment and granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
A Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, had nullified the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, on November 15, 2025.
However, the party under the leadership of Tanimu Turaki, SAN dismissed the judgement, which it described as an academic exercise.
The nine defendants are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party, Umar Baturrle, National Organizing Secretary of the party, NWC and NEC of the party, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.
Delivering judgment at Appeal Court Complex in the nation’s capital, Justice Onyemenam held that PDP violated Constitutional provisions required before such convention can become valid.
Among others, Justice Onyemenam said no valid notice of convention was served on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as required by law.
The appellate Court also held valid congresses were not held in more than 14 states as provided by law before 2025 convention was put in place.
Justice Onyemenam also held the case of the aggrieved PDP members who instituted the case against the party was not on internal affairs of the party as erroneously held but the desire to force INEC to comply with its statutory functions in relation to party conventions.
Having failed to comply with the relevant laws, the Court of Appeal held that the Federal High Court was right in assuming jurisdiction and grant restraining order against INEC from accepting or recognising the outcome of the PDP 2025 national convention.
“Non compliance with the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2022 and party Constitution and Guidelines are at the hearts of democratic governance and compliance must be strictly enforced in the interest of democracy”.
