2027 Elections: Court Rejects Turaki-Led PDP Recognition Bid, Dismisses Wabara BoT Suit

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Senator Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the party’s authentic interim leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a judgment delivered on Friday, rejected the application filed by members of the Senator Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT), ruling that the suit lacked merit and amounted to an abuse of court process.

The plaintiffs had asked the court to direct INEC to update its records and recognise the interim National Working Committee (NWC) led by Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), after the faction’s names were allegedly forwarded to the electoral commission.

They also sought an order compelling INEC to publish the names of the factional executives on its official website and recognise all official communications issued by the Turaki-led leadership on behalf of the party.

However, Justice Ibrahim held that the court could not grant the reliefs sought, describing the case as an attempt to revive issues that had already been addressed by previous judgments.

The judge ruled that the matter was not properly before the court and that granting the plaintiffs’ request could undermine existing judicial decisions.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, was filed by members of the Wabara-led BoT following the deepening leadership crisis within the PDP.

The plaintiffs included former Senate President Adolphus Wabara; former Niger State Governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; and PDP chieftain, Olabode George.

Others were former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma; former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina; Dame Esther Uduehi; and the PDP.

They asked the court to determine whether INEC was legally required to recognise the Turaki-led interim NWC based on communications sent to the commission by the party.

The plaintiffs argued that INEC was bound by provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the PDP Constitution to update its records and recognise the leadership structure forwarded to it.

They maintained that the names of members of the Turaki-led interim NWC were communicated to INEC through letters dated May 4.

The plaintiffs also sought an order directing INEC to give effect to actions taken by the factional leadership on behalf of the PDP.

The suit was opposed by a faction of the PDP aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The faction challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case, arguing that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the action.

The group also applied to be joined as an interested party, insisting that it represented the legitimate leadership of the party.

Those who sought to join the matter included the faction’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and National Legal Adviser, Kamardeen Ajibade.

Other applicants included former PDP Imo State Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu; Abraham Amah; and George Turner.

The faction argued that it emerged from a PDP national convention held between March 29 and 30, which it said was monitored by INEC.

Justice Ibrahim, before delivering judgment, granted the application by the Wike-aligned faction to join the proceedings, ruling that their interests could be affected by the outcome of the case.

The court subsequently upheld the preliminary objections filed by the respondents, including INEC, and dismissed the suit.

The judge held that the plaintiffs were attempting to use the court to revisit matters that had already been determined in previous proceedings.

According to Justice Ibrahim, the case was an abuse of judicial process because it sought to reopen issues that had already received judicial attention.

“The court does not decide hypothetical or academic questions,” the judge held.

The court also struck out the PDP as a party to the suit, stating that the plaintiffs failed to provide evidence that they had the authority of the party to institute the action on its behalf.

Justice Ibrahim further ruled that the suit was incompetent because it was filed through an originating summons despite the highly contentious nature of the issues involved.

The court held that the dispute required a process that would allow proper examination of evidence and facts presented by all parties.

The judge also noted the existence of previous judgments relating to the PDP leadership crisis, including decisions concerning the party’s conventions and executive structures.

The court said granting the plaintiffs’ request would amount to making an order capable of conflicting with existing judicial decisions.

The judgment adds another layer to the prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The ruling means INEC is not compelled by the court to recognise the Turaki-led faction as requested by the Wabara-led BoT.

However, the decision does not automatically resolve the wider internal dispute within the opposition party, as rival factions continue to claim legitimacy over the party’s leadership structure.

The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, has been battling internal divisions over its national leadership, conventions and control of party structures.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the outcome of the leadership struggle is expected to remain a major factor in determining the party’s political direction and electoral strategy.