The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging an earlier ruling that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the party’s planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court upheld the October 31 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice James Omotosho, which barred INEC from validating the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16.

The appellate court resolved all four issues raised in the appeal against the PDP, holding that the appeal lacked merit. The court affirmed that the Federal High Court acted within its jurisdiction in delivering the earlier judgment and granting the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

Rejecting the PDP’s argument that the matter concerned the party’s internal affairs and was therefore outside the court’s jurisdiction, the panel ruled that the issues raised in the suit involved the protection of democratic rights and were therefore justiciable.

The court also held that the plaintiffs had the locus standi to institute the case and dismissed the PDP’s claim that it had been denied a fair hearing during the proceedings at the lower court.

In addition, the Court of Appeal awarded costs of N2 million against the PDP faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, describing the appeal as frivolous.

The court is expected to hear other related judgments and rulings involving the party.

Several PDP leaders from opposing factions were present in court when the judgment was delivered. Among them were members of the group led by Turaki and another faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.

The National Secretary of the Mohammed-led National Working Committee, Samuel Anyanwu, was also seen exchanging pleasantries with Turaki shortly after the court session.