The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. A reader who only reads this paragraph must understand what happened.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a lawsuit seeking to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acknowledge a separate leadership within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Turaki.

Delivering judgment on Friday, July 17, Justice Salim Ibrahim held that the plaintiffs, led by PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, lacked the legal grounds to bring the suit. He consequently struck it out for lack of jurisdiction.

The court upheld preliminary objections filed by INEC and sustained similar objections raised by parties seeking to be joined in the matter. It ruled that the plaintiffs failed to establish that INEC had recognised the purported interim NWC or that they possessed the authority to sue on behalf of the PDP.

The plaintiffs had approached the court seeking an order to compel INEC to update its records and recognise the factional interim NWC headed by Kabiru Turaki (SAN). They argued that the names of members of the Turaki-led executive were forwarded to INEC through letters dated May 4.

But a faction of the party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, challenged the court's jurisdiction and sought to be joined in the case. The group, led by its National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, maintained that it represented the authentic leadership of the PDP and argued that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to institute the action.

In a ruling delivered before the substantive judgment, Justice Ibrahim granted the joinder applications, holding that the interests of the applicants would be affected by the outcome of the suit.

The court subsequently upheld all preliminary objections and struck out the case, describing it as an abuse of court process. Justice Ibrahim held that the plaintiffs were attempting to relitigate issues that had already been determined by various courts.

### Specific details

  • The suit was filed on June 4 through a legal team led by Chris Uche (SAN).
  • The plaintiffs included former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief Olabode George, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Dame Esther Uduehi, and the PDP itself.
  • INEC was listed as the sole defendant in the suit.
  • A faction of the party aligned with Nyesom Wike's faction challenged the court's jurisdiction.

### Key facts

  • The plaintiffs had approached the court seeking an order to compel INEC to update its records and recognise the factional interim NWC headed by Kabiru Turaki (SAN).
  • The names of members of the Turaki-led executive were forwarded to INEC through letters dated May 4.
  • The plaintiffs argued that the electoral body was obligated to recognise and act on correspondence from the interim leadership.

### Additional context

The PDP has been embroiled in an intra-party crisis, with two factional leaderships vying for control. The Turaki-led executive has been recognised by some members of the party, but its legitimacy has been challenged by others, including the Wike faction.

The court's ruling is seen as a major setback for the Turaki-led executive, and it remains to be seen how the party will move forward.

### What happens next?

The court's ruling is final and cannot be appealed. However, the party may continue to be embroiled in intra-party conflicts, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the party's chances in future elections.