Court Dismisses Suit for Turaki-led PDP Recognition

On July 7, 2023, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Salim Ibrahim, dismissed a suit aimed at compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the Kabiru Turaki-led interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). The court ruled that the plaintiffs, led by the PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, lacked the legal standing to institute the suit.

Justice Ibrahim upheld preliminary objections raised by INEC, stating that the plaintiffs failed to establish that the interim NWC had the authority to sue on behalf of the PDP. The court awarded N10 million in costs against the plaintiffs, emphasizing that frivolous applications should not be filed.

The suit was time-bound, given INEC's schedule for the 2027 general elections, which requires candidate names to be uploaded by July 17, 2023. The plaintiffs included notable figures such as former ministers and members of the PDP's Board of Trustees.