PDP's Wike Faction Moves to Counter Suit Seeking Recognition of Turaki's Interim Leadership

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The hearing in a lawsuit that seeks to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki was postponed yesterday because the court received requests for joinder applications.

Previously, the Senator Adolphus Wabara‑led Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP had taken INEC to court over its failure to upload the names of the Turaki‑led Interim NWC members on its website.

After the Supreme Court nullified the November 2025 Ibadan Convention that produced the Turaki‑led national leadership of the PDP, the Wabara‑led BoT installed an interim leadership to manage the party’s affairs pending new elections.

At present, the names of PDP officials listed on INEC’s website are those who emerged from the PDP convention held in Abuja in March this year.

Disappointed, the plaintiffs—who include the BoT Secretary, former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu; former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana; and PDP chieftain Olabode George as the first through fourth plaintiffs; 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—have asked the court to order INEC to update its records and publish the interim NWC on its official website as forwarded to it by the plaintiffs and the National Executive Committee (NEC).

In suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, the plaintiffs allege that the names of the Turaki‑led NWC were sent to INEC in letters dated May 4 but have not been uploaded.

During yesterday’s proceedings, a brief exchange occurred when another lawyer announced his appearance for the PDP as the eighth plaintiff.

Chief Gordy Uche, SAN, declared his representation of all eight plaintiffs, but immediately after he sat down, senior lawyer Mr. Sunday Ameh, SAN, stood and announced that he was representing the eight plaintiffs, stating that he intended to excuse the PDP from the suit because the party had never authorized it in the first place.

Mr. O. A. Adeyemi announced his appearance for INEC, while Mr. Adedayo Adedeji, SAN, listed Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Nnanah, and George Turner as persons seeking to be joined as defendants.

Similarly, Mr. George Ibrahim, SAN, announced his appearance for persons seeking to be joined, naming PDP National Chairman Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, National Secretary PDP Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN.

They informed the court of their joinder applications and requested that the court consider them so they could determine the next steps.

Judge Justice Salim Ibrahim scheduled a hearing for June 30 to address all pending applications.