A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction’s appeal against a Federal High Court ruling that prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the results of the party’s national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, was denied by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
November 15 and 16 had been set aside for the convention.
A three-person panel of the appellate court unanimously ruled on Monday that the PDP’s appeal was without substance.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court of Nigeria’s October 31 verdict was upheld by the panel, which also resolved the four complaints brought against the party.
All of the plaintiffs’ requests for relief were granted by the lower court, including the prohibition against INEC recognizing the results of the proposed convention.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the PDP’s claim that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to consider the lawsuit since the issues were party internal matters.
The plaintiffs had the legal standing to file the lawsuit in defense of their democratic rights, the appeal court ruled.
Contrary to what the PDP claimed in its appeal, the panel also determined that the party was not given a fair hearing.
In its decision, the appellate court mandated that the PDP reimburse ₦2 million for the bogus appeal it filed.
Eight further related appeals linked to the case, including challenges to earlier rulings and judgments, have not yet received conclusions from the court.
