Confusion in court as 2 lawyers appear for PDP in Wabara, others’ suit against INEC

There was confusion in the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday as two lawyers appeared for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a suit filed by Sen. Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) against Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The suit, which is before Justice Salim Ibrahim, is seeking an order of the court compelling INEC to recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led interim National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP in its official website.

Our correspondent reports that the BoT and the PDP had filed the fresh suit.

The plaintiffs sought an order directing the electoral umpire to, forthwith, update its records and publish on its official website the interim NWC of the party as forwarded to it by the plaintiffs and its National Executive Committee (NEC).

They said the names of members of the Tanimu Turaki-led NWC was forwarded to the electoral umpire via their letters dated May 4.

Our correspondent reports that the originating summons, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, was filed on June 4 by a team of lawyers led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN.

Listed as plaintiffs are ex-Senate President Adolphus Wabara; BoT Secretary, former Gov. Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger; ex-Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana and PDP chieftain, Olabode George as 1st to 4th plaintiffs.

Others are former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma; also an ex-Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina; member of BoT and NEC, Dame Esther Uduehi and PDP as 5th to 8th plaintiffs respectively.

The plaintiffs sued INEC as sole defendant in the suit.

Meanwhile, when the case was called on Friday, Chief Gordy Uche, SAN, announced appearance for all the eight plaintiffs, including PDP that is the 8th plaintiff.

But Mr Sunday Ameh, SAN, also stood up shortly after Uche made his appearance and also announced his appearance for the 8th defendant (PDP).

The development, however, generated some confusions in court.

Turaki, the factional national charman of PDP; Prof. Jerry Gana, among others, were in court for the proceedings.