The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Salim Ibrahim, has fixed June 30, 2026, for the hearing of preliminary issues in a suit filed by the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking to fast-track the recognition of the Party’s Interim National Working Committee (INWC).
The suit seeks an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the INWC as the legitimate leadership of the PDP.
The action was instituted by the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, alongside seven other plaintiffs, including the PDP. The plaintiffs are asking the court to interpret and enforce judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which they contend affirmed their authority to establish the Interim National Working Committee and empowered them to act through duly constituted resolutions of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
At the commencement of proceedings, counsel to INEC informed the court that the Commission had been duly served with the originating summons and all accompanying court processes.
Shortly thereafter, Chief George Ibrahim, (SAN), alongside another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, announced their intention to join the proceedings as interested parties. They argued that they possess substantial interests that could be affected by the outcome of the case and should therefore be heard before any determination is made.
Proceedings took a dramatic turn when Chief S. I. Ameh, SAN, also indicated his intention to participate in the matter. He informed the court that he was not only seeking to join the proceedings but was equally seeking recognition as the lawful representative of the eighth plaintiff, the PDP. This position appeared to contrast with the earlier submission of Chief Godwin Uche, (SAN), who had informed the court that he represented all eight plaintiffs, including the PDP.
When Justice Ibrahim sought clarification on the nature of his application, Chief Ameh described it as ‘double-barrelled’. He explained that he intended to challenge the authority under which the suit was filed in the name of the PDP and would seek an order striking out the party’s name as a plaintiff on the ground that the action lacked proper authorization.
Chief George Ibrahim, (SAN), further argued that the suit was not properly authorized, maintaining that a PDP leadership already recognized by INEC was in place. He also submitted that there was no basis for the accelerated hearing sought by the plaintiffs. In response, Justice Ibrahim cautioned counsel against delving into the substantive merits of the case at this preliminary stage and asked whether he was familiar with the principal reliefs being sought before the court.
Reacting to the applications for joinder, Chief Godwin Uche, SAN, argued that the parties seeking to be joined were strangers to the suit and had not been invited by the plaintiffs. He emphasized that the action was solely against INEC and indicated his intention to vigorously oppose all applications for joinder.
He further urged the court to abridge the time allowed for filing responses, citing the urgency of the matter and the approaching deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 general elections, which he noted would expire in the third week of July.
After considering the submissions of counsel, Justice Ibrahim granted the request for abridgment of time and fixed June 30, 2026, for the hearing of all applications for joinder.
