The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a ruling preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A three-member appellate panel dismissed the PDP’s appeal against the October 31 judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, ruling that the appeal lacked merit.
The court affirmed that the trial court acted within its powers in restraining INEC from recognising the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16.
The panel rejected the PDP’s claim that the matter concerned only internal party affairs and confirmed that the plaintiffs had the legal right to protect their democratic rights.
The court also found that the PDP was not denied a fair hearing.
Additionally, the appellate court awarded N2 million in costs against the PDP for filing what it deemed a frivolous appeal. Rulings on eight other related appeals are still pending.
