The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party challenging an earlier judgment that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday by a three member panel, held that the appeal lacked merit.
The court therefore affirmed the October 31 ruling earlier delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, which barred INEC from validating the outcome of the PDP convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.
In its decision, the Court of Appeal resolved all four issues raised for determination against the PDP and ruled that the trial court was right in granting the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The appellate court rejected the party’s argument that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction on the grounds that the dispute concerned the internal affairs of the party.
According to the court, the plaintiffs had the legal right to institute the suit to protect their democratic rights, dismissing the PDP’s claim that it was denied fair hearing during the proceedings at the lower court.
The court also imposed a cost of N2 million against the faction of the party linked to Kabiru Tanimu Turaki for filing what it described as a frivolous appeal.
During the proceedings, several leaders of the party from the opposing factions were present in court.
Among those sighted were supporters of Turaki and another group led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The National Secretary of the Mohammed led National Working Committee, Samuel Anyanwu, was also seen exchanging pleasantries with Turaki shortly after the court delivered its judgment.
The appellate court indicated that other pending judgments and rulings relating to disputes within the party would be heard subsequently.
