PDP BoT Takes INEC To Court Over Leadership Crisis Ahead 2027 Elections

(PDP. Photo Credit: TheCable)

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, chaired by Senator Adolphus Wabara, filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Federal High Court in Abuja has set July 7 for a definitive hearing.

Justice Salim Ibrahim directed the parties to submit and serve their proceedings by July 6 and ordered that all pending petitions and the substantive matter be heard simultaneously on that date. He threatened to not tolerate any further delays.

The plaintiffs’ attorney, Gordy Uche, SAN, said that the case was urgent given INEC’s updated schedule for the 2027 general elections, which sets July 17 as the deadline for candidate submissions. On June 19, the judge ordered an accelerated hearing.

PDP Requests Interim NWC Recognition

The Wabara-led BoT is requesting a court order requiring INEC to amend its records and acknowledge the Kabir Turaki-led temporary National Working Committee (NWC) on its official website.

The plaintiffs contend that INEC was properly informed of the temporary NWC’s composition by letters dated May 4.

Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, former Niger Governor Babangida Aliyu, Professor Jerry Gana, Chief Olabode George, and other BoT members are listed as plaintiffs in the original summons, which was filed on June 4. INEC is the only defendant.

Context of the Court of Appeal

The lawsuit comes after the Court of Appeal in Abuja rendered a decision on June 3 that overturned a Federal High Court order in Ibadan that had acknowledged a factional caretaker committee headed by Abdurahman Mohammed and supported by Minister Nyesom Wike.

The lower court provided relief that neither party had requested, the appellate court ruled.

The BoT contends in the new lawsuit that INEC is required by the constitution to uphold rulings from the Supreme Court and the FCT High Court, which invalidated the November 2025 convention and maintained the suspension of several party officers.

According to the plaintiffs, INEC’s refusal to implement these rulings is “a grave affront to the rule of law.”

The PDP leadership crisis is still unresolved, and all parties agreed to an expedited hearing during Tuesday’s hearings.

The deadline for candidate submissions is July 11. For a combined decision on all applications and the main case, Justice Ibrahim postponed the hearing to July 7.