The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed a lawsuit brought by the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking an order for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the interim National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabir Turaki. Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled the suit an abuse of court process, noting that the plaintiffs failed to prove any entitlement to the relief sought. The judge also agreed with preliminary objections raised by INEC and the Wike-backed PDP faction, asserting that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, was filed on June 4 by a team of lawyers led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN. It was initiated by Wabara, along with other BoT members, including former Senate President Wabara, former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, ex-Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana, and several other officials. They sought to compel INEC to recognize the Turaki-led NWC, update its database with the names of the committee members, and publish the information on INEC's website. The plaintiffs argued that the names of the NWC members had been submitted to INEC via letters dated May 4. The court rejected these arguments, stating that the plaintiffs had not established a legal obligation on INEC to recognize the NWC. Justice Ibrahim emphasized that the plaintiffs' case hinged on the assumption that INEC was already bound by prior judicial decisions, an assumption they failed to substantiate. The judge noted that the Supreme Court rulings cited by the plaintiffs did not constitute orders compelling INEC to act. Furthermore, the court found that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated that the Turaki-led NWC represented the lawful leadership of the PDP capable of engaging with INEC. In addition to dismissing the main claim, the court upheld preliminary objections raised by INEC and the Wike-backed PDP faction. These objections challenged the legal standing of the plaintiffs, arguing that the 1st to 7th plaintiffs lacked the authority to file the suit on behalf of the party. The court also granted applications by the Wike-backed faction to be joined as defendants, including Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, the National Chairman of the faction, and other key figures such as Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Kamaldeen Ajibade. Additional applicants, including Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah Nnanna, and George Turnah, were also included as necessary parties due to their potential interest in the outcome. The Wike-backed faction asserted that it is the authentic leadership of the PDP and that the court lacked jurisdiction to consider the claims of the Wabara-led faction. They contended that the plaintiffs, who had previously been expelled from the party by court judgments, lacked the legal right to initiate the action. The court accepted this argument and ruled that the plaintiffs could not proceed with their case. The dismissal of the suit marks another setback for the Wabara-led faction in its ongoing struggle over PDP leadership. The dispute has deepened divisions within the party, with two competing factions vying for control. While the Wabara faction argues that it represents the majority of the party's membership, the Wike-backed faction maintains that it holds the legitimate authority based on recent conventions and court rulings. The outcome of this legal battle will likely have significant implications for the party's internal cohesion and its ability to function effectively ahead of upcoming elections.
4 reports
Premium Times NigeriaIndependentCenter3 hr. agoA Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit brought by Adolphus Wabara's faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which sought recognition of their leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled the suit an 'abuse of court process' and noted the plaintiffs failed to establish entitlement to the relief sought. The court also rejected the claimants' jurisdiction, affirming the leadership of the PDP faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The plaintiffs included former Senate President Wabara and other senior party figures, but the court struck out their claim, citing lack of authority to represent the party.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the court's ruling without overt ideological slant, focusing on legal arguments and procedural aspects. While the subject involves political factions within a major party, the framing remains neutral, presenting both sides' positions without clear editorial favoritism toward any
The PunchIndependentCenter4 hr. agoA Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit seeking to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize and publish the Kabiru Turaki-led interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The case, filed by PDP Board of Trustees chairman Adolphus Wabara and others, argued that INEC was legally obligated to recognize the committee based on previous judicial rulings. However, Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing and failed to prove that INEC had any existing legal duty to recognize the committee. The court upheld preliminary objections from INEC and members of the Wike-backed PDP leadership, stating that the plaintiffs did not demonstrate that the committee represented the lawful leadership of the party or that INEC had been directed to recognize it.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced legal analysis of the court's decision without overtly favoring either side. It reports the arguments from both the plaintiffs and the opposing parties, including INEC and the Wike-backed leadership, without taking a clear ideological stance. The framing focuses on法律和
Vanguard NigeriaIndependentCenter5 hr. agoA Nigerian court has rejected a lawsuit filed by supporters of Senator Adolphus Wabara, seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki. The case, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, was brought by members of the Wabara-led Board of Trustees, including former governors, ministers, and party officials, who argued that INEC should acknowledge the Turaki-led leadership based on constitutional provisions. The court ruled against the plaintiffs, dismissing the suit and rejecting their request for INEC to update its records and publish the interim NWC. The Wike-aligned faction of the PDP challenged the court’s jurisdiction, asserting that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to bring the case.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both sides of the PDP leadership dispute without overtly favoring either faction. It reports on the legal arguments presented by both the Wabara-led group and the Wike-backed faction, providing balanced coverage of the court's decision and the competing claims. There is no clear
Premium Times NigeriaIndependentCenter10 hr. ago Amaechi withdraws suit challenging Atiku’s emergence as ADC presidential candidateThe Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit filed by former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who challenged the selection of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election. Amaechi, who finished second in the ADC’s presidential primary election in June, withdrew his suit through his lawyer, citing that the parties had resolved their differences. The court ruled to strike out the case as requested. Amaechi had argued that the primary election violated electoral laws and the party’s internal guidelines, and he sought a new primary election. He claimed to be the rightful winner and demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not recognize Abubakar as the ADC’s candidate.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the legal proceedings and the withdrawal of the lawsuit without overtly favoring either side. It provides factual information about the court's decision and the background of the dispute without apparent ideological slant. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the legal and选举
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