Updated: Wike’s camp triumphs as appeal against PDP convention dismissed
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The judgment was delivered on Monday with members of the party from both factions present in court. The ruling effectively bars INEC from recognising any outcome of the contested convention held by the party.
The Court of Appeal Nigeria on Monday dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki against the October 31 judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The ruling had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention planned by the party in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2022.
In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues presented in the appeal against the Turaki group. The court held that the appeal was without merit, affirming that the Federal High Court’s earlier judgment was correct and that all reliefs sought by the plaintiffs were valid.
The appellate court rejected the PDP faction’s claim that the trial court lacked jurisdiction, ruling that the issues were not solely internal party matters. It also affirmed that the plaintiffs had the legal right (locus standi) to file the suit to protect their democratic rights, and that the Turaki group had been given a fair hearing during the trial.
In addition, the court awarded ₦2 million as costs against the Turaki-led faction for filing what it described as a frivolous appeal. Other judgments and rulings by the party are expected to be heard in due course.
Members of both PDP factions were present in court as the judgment was delivered. Observers sighted the group led by Turaki alongside leaders of the rival faction under Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The National Secretary of the Mohammed-led national working committee, Samuel Anyanwu, was also seen exchanging pleasantries with Turaki during proceedings.
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