Appeal Court Upholds Order Stopping INEC from Recognising PDP Ibadan Convention

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday affirmed a judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the national convention planned by the Peoples Democratic Party in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging the October 31 ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the court resolved the four issues raised in the appeal against the opposition party and held that the appeal lacked merit.

The court ruled that the trial court acted within its powers when it granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs and restrained INEC from recognising the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.

The panel also rejected the PDP’s argument that the case bordered solely on the party’s internal affairs and was therefore outside the jurisdiction of the court.

It further held that the plaintiffs had the legal right to institute the suit to protect their democratic rights and that the PDP was not denied fair hearing as it alleged.

The appellate court subsequently awarded a cost of N2m against the PDP for filing what it described as a frivolous appeal, adding that rulings on eight other related appeals are still pending. – CHANNELS TV