A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 7 to hear a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Kabir Turaki-led interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice Salim Ibrahim fixed the date after all parties agreed to file and exchange their outstanding court processes before the hearing. The judge also directed that every filing must be completed by July 6, warning that no further delays would be allowed.
The case comes as the PDP continues to battle an internal leadership crisis ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Wabara-led trustees seek INEC recognition
The suit was filed by the PDP Board of Trustees led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, alongside other party leaders including former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, Prof. Jerry Gana and Chief Olabode George.
The plaintiffs want the court to order INEC to recognise the Turaki-led interim NWC and update the party’s leadership records on its official platform.
They are also asking the electoral commission to accept official communications already sent by the interim leadership through letters dated May 4 and May 15.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), urged the court to hear all pending applications together with the main suit to save time.
“The commission has reiterated that its July 11 deadline for the submission of names of candidates is sacrosanct. They said the submission started yesterday, and parties have been given the access code, and we also need the access code,” he said.
None of the lawyers representing INEC, the PDP or parties seeking to join the suit opposed the request.
Plaintiffs accuse INEC of ignoring court judgments
According to court documents, the plaintiffs argue that previous judgments by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court invalidated the PDP’s November 2025 national convention and upheld the suspension of some party officials.
They claim the Board of Trustees subsequently appointed an interim leadership headed by Kabir Turaki and formally notified INEC, but the commission has refused to recognise it.
The plaintiffs described INEC’s position as contrary to existing court decisions and are asking the court to compel the commission to update its records.
Leadership crisis continues within the PDP
The dispute follows a split within the PDP after a faction led by Mohammed Abdulrahman, which is reportedly loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, was recognised by INEC following an earlier court judgment.
That faction has since taken control of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, conducted primary elections in the presence of INEC officials and begun submitting candidate details to the commission.
The outcome of the July 7 hearing is expected to determine which leadership the electoral body will officially recognise as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
