The Interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Turaki, has announced its decision to appeal the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which struck out a suit seeking official recognition of its leadership.
The announcement followed Friday’s ruling by Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, who upheld the preliminary objections raised by the defendants and dismissed the suit instituted by the PDP Board of Trustees and some founding leaders of the party.
The plaintiffs had sought, among other reliefs, an order compelling the recognition of the Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee as the authentic leadership of the party.
In its judgment, the court held that the dispute centred on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party and therefore constituted an internal affair of the party, a matter over which the court lacked jurisdiction.
Reacting to the decision in a statement titled “Victory Postponed, the Struggle Continues,” the Interim National Working Committee expressed respect for the judgment but maintained that it disagreed with the court’s conclusions.
The committee argued that the ruling was inconsistent with existing judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, insisting that the decision left the plaintiffs with no alternative but to challenge it at a higher court.
“While we respect the judgment of the trial court, we respectfully consider that it is against the extant judgments of the Appeal and apex courts, leaving the plaintiffs with no option but to appeal the judgment and the rulings therein,” the statement read.
The group disclosed that it had instructed its legal team to commence the appeal process immediately.
According to the statement, the plaintiffs remain optimistic that the appellate courts will overturn the decision and uphold what they described as the principles of justice, democratic opposition and the rule of law.
“We are hopeful that as we climb the ladder of the law upwards, the victory of truth over lies, principles over compromise and the survival of true opposition and multi-party democracy will be assured,” the statement added.
The Interim NWC further declared that although its “victory may be postponed,” it remained resolute in pursuing what it described as the struggle for justice and the preservation of democratic values.
The statement concluded with the phrase, “Aluta continua, Victoria ascerta!”, reaffirming the group’s determination to continue its legal battle over the party’s leadership.
The statement was signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party.
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