The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging a Federal High Court judgment that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the party’s planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved all four issues raised for determination against the PDP.
The court held that the appeal lacked merit and affirmed the October 31 ruling of the Federal High Court delivered by James Omotosho, which barred INEC from recognising the outcome of the PDP’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.
The appellate court rejected the PDP’s argument that the trial court lacked jurisdiction, noting that the matter was not solely an internal affair of the party.
It further ruled that the plaintiffs had the legal standing to institute the suit in defence of their democratic rights. The panel also dismissed the PDP’s claim that it was denied a fair hearing during the trial.
As part of its ruling, the court imposed a cost of N2 million against the PDP, describing the appeal as frivolous.
The Court of Appeal, however, has yet to deliver judgments on the remaining eight appeals related to the case, which include additional rulings and decisions.
