The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Salim Ibrahim, has scheduled June 30, 2026, for the hearing of preliminary issues in a suit filed by the Board of Trustees of the PDP to fast-track the recognition of the Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The case seeks to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the INWC as the party’s legitimate leadership.
The suit was initiated by PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, along with seven other plaintiffs, including the Peoples’ Democratic Party. They are asking the court to interpret and enforce judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which they claim have affirmed their authority to set up the Interim National Working Committee and to empower them to act through NEC resolutions duly complied with.
At the start of the proceedings, INEC’s lawyer confirmed receipt of the originating summons and other court documents, indicating that the electoral body had been properly served.
Soon after, Chief George Ibrahim, SAN, and another senior lawyer announced their intention to join the case as interested parties. They argued that they had significant interests that could be impacted by the case’s outcome and should be heard before any decision is made.
The situation changed dramatically when Chief S . I Ameh, SAN, stepped forward to state his intention to participate in the case. He said he aimed not only to join the proceedings but also to be recognized as the lawful representative of the eighth plaintiff, the PDP.
This development occurred despite an earlier statement from Chief Godwin Uche, SAN, stating that he represented all eight plaintiffs, including the PDP.
When Justice Ibrahim asked for clarification about his application, Chief Ameh described his intent as “double-barrelled.” He explained he planned to challenge the authority under which the suit was filed in the name of the PDP and to seek an order to strike out the party’s name as a plaintiff, claiming the case lacked party authorization.
Chief George Ibrahim, SAN, argued that the suit was unapproved, asserting that a properly recognized PDP leadership by INEC was already in place. He added that there was no urgency for an accelerated hearing, as requested by the plaintiffs.
Justice Ibrahim then asked whether counsel was familiar with the main reliefs being sought, warning him not to delve into the case’s merits at this early stage.
Chief Uche responded that the parties seeking to join had not been invited by the plaintiffs and were strangers to the case. He stressed that the suit was only against INEC and said he would strongly oppose all motions for joinder.
Regarding Chief Ameh’s representation, Uche noted that the relevant documents had only just been served on him in court. He said he was ready to address all issues promptly.
He also asked the court to abridge the response time for filings, citing the urgency and the approaching deadline for submitting candidates for the 2027 elections, which he said would end in the third week of July.
After reviewing the arguments, Justice Ibrahim ruled in favour of abridging the timeline and scheduled the joinder applications’ arguments for June 30, 2026. The court would then rule on the applications thereafter.
The court assured all parties that the case would be handled promptly and instructed lawyers to submit electronic copies of all pleadings and documents to facilitate a quick resolution.
