The Special Panel of the Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal filed by the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees and some founding members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking recognition for the Interim National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
The appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1221/2026 was filed by Senator Adolphus Wabara and seven others against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and six others.
The appellants had sought among other reliefs an order vacating judgment of the Federal High Court which refused to direct INEC to recognise the Interim National Working Committee (NEC) constituted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting convened after judgment of Supreme Court.
The Panel presided by Justice Ugochukwu Anthony Ogakwu, Justice Laja Balogun and Justice Ruquayat Oremei Ayoola who read the judgment upheld the judgment of Federal High Court delivered by Justice Salim and dismissed the appeal.
Reacting to the judgment, the Interim National Working Committee said while it respects the judgment of the court it is determined to take the quest for justice anchored on truth to the apex court.
The group said it believes no matter how deep truth is buried if those seeking it are persistent in digging it will one day resurface.
It said it has instructed lawyers to immediately file an appeal before the Supreme Court in hope that justice will eventually be done.
It stated that the PDP must, as an opposition party, offer alternatives to the ruling party and not become appendage of it, noting that democracy survives only when opposition is strong enough to effectively engage government.
The Committee urged members to remain firm and resolute as it approaches the highest court of the land, expressing trust that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that when victory is finally won, pains being experienced will make a good story for survival of multiparty democracy and next generation.
