The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court ruling that restrains the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party national convention slated for Ibadan, Oyo State.
The PDP had appealed the October 31 judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, but a three-member panel of the appellate court on Monday dismissed the challenge.
In a unanimous ruling, the court held that the opposition party’s appeal was without merit and affirmed all the reliefs granted by the trial court.
The panel rejected the claim that the matter was purely an internal party affair beyond judicial oversight, noting that the plaintiffs had the right to approach the court to protect their democratic interests.
It also ruled that the PDP was not denied a fair hearing, contrary to its assertion in the appeal.
Additionally, the court imposed a cost of N2 million on the PDP for pursuing what it described as a frivolous appeal.
Rulings on eight other related appeals, including judgments and pending applications, are yet to be delivered.
