The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal filed by the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees and some founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the recognition of the party’s Interim National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
The appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1221/2026, was filed by Senator Adolphus Wabara and seven others against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and six others.
The appellants had sought, among other reliefs, an order setting aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, which declined to direct INEC to recognise the Interim National Working Committee led by Turaki.
The committee was reportedly constituted at a National Executive Committee meeting convened after the Supreme Court’s judgment.
In its judgment delivered on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the three-member panel of the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Salim and dismissed the appeal.
The panel was presided over by Justice Ugochukwu Anthony Ogakwu, with Justices Laja Balogun and Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola as members. Justice Ayoola read the judgment.
Reacting to the ruling, the Interim National Working Committee said it respected the decision of the court but remained determined to pursue the matter at the Supreme Court.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the committee disclosed that it had instructed its lawyers to immediately file an appeal before the apex court.
It expressed confidence that justice would eventually prevail, insisting that its quest was anchored on truth.
The committee also stressed the need for the PDP to maintain its position as a strong opposition party capable of providing an alternative to the ruling party.
According to the statement, democracy can only thrive when opposition parties are strong enough to hold the government accountable and effectively engage it.
It urged party members to remain steadfast and resolute as the legal battle moves to the Supreme Court.
The committee expressed optimism that the eventual outcome of the case would strengthen multiparty democracy in Nigeria and serve as an important lesson for future generations.
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