A Federal High Court in Abuja strikes out a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and publish the names of the Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (interim NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to multiple reports, the case is decided by Justice Salim Ibrahim, who delivers the judgement on Friday.
The court rules that the plaintiffs, led by the PDP Board of Trustees chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, lack the legal standing required to bring the matter. The court upholds a preliminary objection by INEC and also sustains objections raised by parties that sought to be joined to the suit.
In its reasoning, the court finds that the plaintiffs do not establish that INEC has recognised the purported Turaki-led interim NWC. The court also determines that the plaintiffs fail to show they have the authority to sue on behalf of the PDP. As a result, the suit is struck out for want of jurisdiction. The outlets report the decision consistently, though most provide limited details beyond the court’s standing and authority findings.
