Court Fixes July 7 Hearing in Wabara’s Suit Against INEC over the PDP leadership dispute and recognition of the party’s interim NWC
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 7 July 2026 for the hearing of a suit filed by former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, seeking an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the party’s interim National Working Committee.
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Justice Salim Ibrahim fixed the date on Tuesday after directing all parties to file and exchange outstanding court processes before the hearing, warning that no further delays would be entertained because of the time-sensitive nature of the case.
The court also ruled that all pending applications, including requests by interested parties seeking to join the suit, would be heard alongside the substantive matter on the adjourned date.
The legal battle centres on the Wabara-led Board of Trustees’ request for INEC to update its official records and website to recognise the Kabir Turaki-led interim National Working Committee, which the plaintiffs said was forwarded to the electoral commission following decisions of the party’s National Executive Committee.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), told the court that an expedited hearing was necessary because of INEC’s timetable for activities leading to the 2027 general elections.
According to the senior advocate, political parties have already begun submitting information through the commission’s portal, making the case urgent.
The application for accelerated proceedings was not opposed by counsel representing INEC, the PDP and parties seeking to join the case.
The suit, filed on 4 June 2026, names INEC as the sole defendant and seeks declarations that the electoral commission is constitutionally bound to implement previous judgments of the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court relating to the PDP leadership dispute.
The plaintiffs include Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Professor Jerry Gana, Chief Olabode George, Hajia Maryam Ciroma, Hajia Zainab Maina, Dame Esther Uduehi and the PDP.
The latest proceedings come amid a prolonged leadership crisis within the opposition party, which has produced multiple court cases and competing claims over the party’s national leadership.
Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal set aside aspects of a Federal High Court judgment that had recognised a factional caretaker committee, ruling that the lower court granted reliefs that were not sought by any of the parties.
In court documents, the Wabara-led Board of Trustees argued that INEC has failed to comply with valid court judgments by refusing to recognise the interim leadership communicated to the commission through official correspondence.
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The plaintiffs maintained that the commission’s actions undermine the rule of law and could affect the PDP’s preparations for the 2027 elections unless the court grants the reliefs sought.
