Court dismisses suit against PDP, INEC on disputed Kaduna Ward, LG Congresses

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by six members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the legality of the Ward Congresses conducted in Kaduna State on July 27 last year. The court, presided over by Justice Peter Ode Lifu, ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of the party.

The six aggrieved party members had sought to stop the Local Government Congresses in the state and claimed they were unlawfully excluded from participating in the Ward Congresses. They also requested the court to compel the PDP National Working Committee to conduct fresh Ward Congresses.

Justice Lifu dismissed the suit, citing judicial precedent and stating that the selection of party officers and nomination of candidates for elective office are purely internal party affairs. The plaintiffs were ordered to pay the costs of litigation.