Appeal court stops INEC from recognising PDP Ibadan convention
The Court of Appeal has affirmed a previous judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the convention reportedly held by the People’s Democratic Party in Ibadan.
In its ruling, the appellate court upheld the earlier decision of a lower court which declared that the electoral commission should not acknowledge the outcome of the convention. The court maintained that the circumstances surrounding the gathering and its resolutions remain subject to legal scrutiny.
The case arose from internal disputes within the People’s Democratic Party, where certain members challenged the legitimacy of the Ibadan convention and the decisions that emerged from it. The plaintiffs argued that the process did not comply with the party’s constitutional procedures and therefore should not be recognised by the electoral authority.
By affirming the earlier judgment, the Court of Appeal effectively sustained the restriction on the Independent National Electoral Commission from acting on the convention’s resolutions until the legal issues are fully resolved. Legal observers say the ruling underscores the judiciary’s role in settling intra-party disputes that have broader implications for Nigeria’s political landscape.
The decision may have significant consequences for the internal affairs of the People’s Democratic Party, particularly as the party continues efforts to address leadership disagreements and maintain unity ahead of future political activities.
Political analysts note that court rulings involving party conventions often shape the direction of internal party governance and can influence preparations for upcoming elections in Nigeria.
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