PDP Turaki-led Faction Appeals Abuja High Court Ruling on Party Leadership
The PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki has instructed its legal team to challenge the recent Abuja Federal High Court decision concerning the party’s leadership.
In a Friday statement issued by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, the faction argued that the ruling contradicts prior decisions from the Appeal and Supreme Courts.
Justice Salim Ibrahim determined that the plaintiffs, headed by Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, lacked standing to sue, leading to dismissal for lack of jurisdiction.
The court accepted the preliminary objection raised by INEC and similar objections from other parties seeking to join the case, finding that the plaintiffs failed to prove INEC had recognised the alleged interim National Working Committee or that they possessed authority to sue on behalf of the PDP.
Despite respecting the judgment, the Turaki‑led faction said it disagrees and has therefore lodged an appeal.
The statement expressed confidence that victory is merely delayed, asserting that the higher court will ultimately rule in its favour and uphold democratic principles.
“Today, the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, presided over by Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim, upheld the Preliminary Objection of the defendants and struck out the case filed by the Board of Trustees and some founding leaders of the Party, seeking, among other reliefs, the recognition of the Kabiru Turaki‑led Interim National Working Committee.
“The court held that the subject matter of the suit is the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party and is an internal affair of the party—a matter which the court’s jurisdiction has been ousted.
“While we respect the judgment of the trial court, we respectfully consider that it is against the extant judgments of the Appeal and apex courts, leaving the plaintiffs with no option but to appeal the judgment and the rulings therein. The plaintiffs have accordingly briefed their lawyers to take immediate steps to appeal the rulings and judgement.
“We are hopeful that as we climb the ladder of the law upwards, the victory of truth over lies, principles over compromise and the survival of true opposition and multi‑party democracy will be assured. The politics of power, money and greed may last for a while, but we are certain that though our victory may be postponed, as the struggle continues, we will eventually attain it. Aluta continua, Victoria ascerta!”
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