Appeal Court Rules Against PDP, Orders ₦2 Million Costs

The Appeal Court in Abuja upheld a judgment from the Federal High Court delivered on November 14, which restrained the People's Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan without including former Jigawa State Governor Lamido in the chairmanship candidacy process. The three-member panel, led by Justice Peter Lifu, unanimously ruled that the PDP acted in contempt of court by proceeding with the convention despite the existing court order.

The court emphasized that the PDP's actions demonstrated a clear disregard for judicial authority and indicated a lack of respect for the judicial process. The PDP argued that the judgment was delivered without proper jurisdiction; however, the Appeal Court rejected this claim, affirming that the Federal High Court had properly assumed jurisdiction over the matter.

Consequently, the PDP's appeal was dismissed as lacking merit, and the court ordered the party to pay ₦2 million in costs.