The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 7 for the definite hearing of a suit filed by the Senator Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that all pending applications and the substantive suit be heard together on that date, directing parties to file and serve their processes by July 6. He warned that no further delays would be entertained.
The judge had on June 19 ordered accelerated hearing after plaintiffs’ counsel, Gordy Uche, SAN, argued that the matter was time-sensitive, given INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 general elections, which sets July 17 as the deadline for candidate submissions.
PDP Seeks Recognition of Interim NWC
The Wabara-led BoT is seeking a court order compelling INEC to recognise the Kabir Turaki-led interim National Working Committee (NWC) on its official website and update its records accordingly. The plaintiffs maintain that the interim NWC’s composition was duly communicated to INEC via letters dated May 4.
The originating summons, filed June 4, lists the BoT members as plaintiffs, including former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, ex-Niger Governor Babangida Aliyu, Professor Jerry Gana, and Chief Olabode George, among others, with INEC as the sole defendant.
Court of Appeal Context
The suit follows a June 3 ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which set aside a Federal High Court judgment in Ibadan that had recognised a factional caretaker committee led by Abdurahman Mohammed, aligned with Minister Nyesom Wike’s camp. The appellate court held that the lower court granted reliefs never sought by any party.
In the fresh suit, the BoT argues that INEC is constitutionally bound to enforce decisions of the FCT High Court and the Supreme Court, which upheld the suspension of certain party officers and nullified the November 2025 convention. The plaintiffs contend that INEC has refused to give effect to these judgments, constituting “a grave affront to the rule of law.”
With the July 11 deadline for candidate submissions approaching, the PDP leadership crisis remains unresolved, and Tuesday’s proceedings saw all parties agree to an expedited hearing. Justice Ibrahim adjourned to July 7 for a consolidated ruling on all applications and the substantive case.
