Court confusion as two PDP lawyers appear in Wabara, while others sue INEC

On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja experienced confusion when two lawyers appeared to represent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a lawsuit filed by the Board of Trustees (BoT) led by Senator Adolphus Wabara against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The case, before Justice Salim Ibrahim, seeks a court order requiring INEC to list the Kabiru Turaki‑led interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP on its official website.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the BoT and the PDP jointly filed the new suit.

The plaintiffs request that INEC immediately update its records and publish the interim NWC on its website, as forwarded by the plaintiffs and the National Executive Committee (NEC).

They note that the names of the members of the Turaki‑led NWC were sent to INEC in letters dated 4 May.

NAN reports that the originating summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, was filed on 4 June by a team of lawyers headed by Chief Chris Uche, SAN.

Listed as plaintiffs are former Senate President Adolphus Wabara; BoT Secretary and former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger; former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana; and PDP leader Olabode George, as the first to fourth plaintiffs.

Other plaintiffs include former Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Maryam Ciroma; former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Zainab Maina; BoT and NEC member Dame Esther Uduehi; and the PDP itself, as the fifth to eighth plaintiffs.

INEC is the sole defendant in the suit.

When the case was called on Friday, Chief Gordy Uche, SAN, announced that he would represent all eight plaintiffs, including the PDP as the eighth plaintiff.

Shortly after, Mr. Sunday Ameh, SAN, also stood up and declared his representation of the eighth defendant (the PDP).

This dual appearance caused confusion in the courtroom.

Turaki, the factional national chairman of the PDP, and Prof. Jerry Gana, among others, were present in court for the proceedings.

(NAN)