The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, reserved judgment in a suit filed by the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the party’s interim National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Turaki (SAN).
Justice Salim Ibrahim reserved judgment after hearing arguments on the substantive suit, preliminary objections and applications for joinder, saying the date for the ruling would be communicated to the parties.
The suit, filed on June 4, 2026, was instituted by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief Olabode George, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Dame Esther Uduehi and the PDP.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to order INEC to recognize the Turaki-led interim NWC and update its records with the leadership list submitted to the commission on May 4, 2026.
The proceedings exposed the PDP’s deepening leadership crisis, with a rival faction challenging both the court’s jurisdiction and the party’s inclusion as a plaintiff.
Appearing separately for the PDP, Sunday Ameh (SAN) argued that the suit was filed without the party’s authorisation and urged the court to strike out its name from the case. He also sought recognition of his notice of change of counsel.
Lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), opposed the applications, describing them as legally untenable and asking the court to dismiss them.
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The court also heard applications by Abdulrahman Mohammed, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Kamardeen Ajibade to be joined in the suit.
Through their counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), they argued they were necessary parties because they currently oversee the party’s affairs.
The plaintiffs opposed the request, insisting the dispute concerns only INEC’s refusal to recognize the leadership presented by the BoT.
INEC, represented by Olusegun Adeyemi, urged the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction, relying on a preliminary objection filed on June 23, 2026. The plaintiffs countered that the objection was without merit and asked the court to reject it.
Justice Ibrahim had earlier, on June 30, 2026, directed that all pending applications and the substantive suit be heard together because of the timelines for the 2027 general elections.
The plaintiffs argued that the matter required an accelerated hearing since July 17, 2026, is INEC’s deadline for political parties to upload candidates’ details.
After adopting all processes, the court reserved judgment until a date to be communicated to counsel.