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The Board of Trustees (BoT) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected a Nigerian High Court judgment that dismissed its suit to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the party’s Interim National Working Committee (INWC).
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, the factional BoT described the verdict as an affront to the authority of Nigeria’s appellate courts and said it would challenge the ruling by all lawful means and convene an emergency meeting within days to determine its next steps.
The suit sought an order directing INEC to comply with what the BoT described as existing judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court by listing members of the party’s Interim National Working Committee.
Reacting to the verdict, the BoT said it received the judgment “with utter dismay,” accusing the High Court of disregarding binding decisions of superior courts.
“The BoT strongly rejects the decision of the High Court which is a direct affront to the superior authority of the Court of Appeal, the supremacy of the Supreme Court, the integrity of the Institution of the Judiciary and the sanctity of the law,” the statement read.
The PDP faction argued that the trial court exceeded its jurisdiction by making findings that contradicted decisions already reached by higher courts.
Daily Nigerian.
“It is rather strange that the High Court went beyond its bounds and arrogated itself powers to make pronouncements over and above the pronouncements of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court by recognizing the actions of individuals whose suspension and expulsion from the party had been upheld by the two superior courts,” it said.
The BoT also faulted the court for allegedly making pronouncements in favour of people who were not parties to the suit.
Insisting that the judgment was legally unsustainable, the faction said it remained determined to overturn the ruling.
“It is clear that this judgment against the PDP and democracy in Nigeria cannot stand in the face of the law. The BoT is therefore determined to take every step within the ambit of the law to ensure that justice is done in the matter,” Wabara said.
The BoT appealed to party members and supporters to remain calm, assuring them that its leadership would soon announce its next course of action.
“While urging teeming members and supporters of our party to remain focused, the BoT reassured that it will in a couple of days hold an emergency meeting and inform party members and Nigerians on the way forward,” the statement said.
The latest development adds to the protracted leadership dispute within the PDP, which has resulted in multiple court cases and rival claims to the party’s leadership.
July 17, 2026
Press Statement
PDP BoT Rejects High Court Judgement on INEC
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) received with utter dismay, the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, which in the most inexplicable manner dismissed the…
— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) July 17, 2026
