Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday, July 10, 2026, for judgment in the protracted leadership dispute within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while the Court of Appeal has adjourned until July 14 the hearing of appeals challenging the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
Justice Salim Ibrahim reserved judgment in the PDP suit after hearing arguments from all parties on Tuesday, July 7. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, pits the faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike against the interim National Working Committee (NWC) led by Tanimu Turaki. The plaintiffs, led by PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, are seeking an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Turaki-led interim NWC and update its records accordingly. They argue that INEC has failed to upload the names of the Turaki-led committee members on its website ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite receiving a formal submission on May 4.
The Wike faction, which has been joined as a party to the suit, has raised preliminary objections, arguing that the Supreme Court has already settled the leadership question and that the matter constitutes an internal party affair outside the court's jurisdiction. The plaintiffs counter that the dispute centres on INEC's statutory duty to maintain accurate records, making it a matter the court is competent to determine.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, has deferred the substantive hearing of appeals seeking to overturn a Federal High Court judgment that ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The adjournment followed the failure of some parties to file and exchange required court documents within the stipulated time. A three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed shifted the hearing to July 14 to enable all parties to regularise their processes. The appellate court had on June 16 granted a stay of execution of the High Court judgment and criticised the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, for allegedly disregarding an earlier Court of Appeal order directing him to stay proceedings. The panel described the judge's conduct as "a form of judicial impertinence" and "judicial rascality."
The High Court had ruled that the five parties failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration, including winning at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing an elective seat at any level of government. The judgment followed a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators. All the defendants, including INEC, have appealed the decision. The outcomes of both cases are expected to have significant implications for Nigeria's political landscape as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
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