Confusion erupted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday after two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) separately announced appearances on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party in a suit seeking recognition of the party’s interim National Working Committee .
The case, presided over by Justice Salim Ibrahim, was instituted by the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara. The suit is asking the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and publish the Kabiru Turaki-led interim NWC on its official website.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PDP and its BoT are joint plaintiffs in the matter. They are requesting an order directing INEC to immediately update its records and upload the names of the interim NWC members submitted by the party and its National Executive Committee (NEC).
According to the plaintiffs, the list of members of the Tanimu Turaki-led interim NWC had earlier been transmitted to the electoral commission through letters dated May 4.
Court documents show that the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, was filed on June 4 by a legal team headed by Chief Chris Uche, SAN.
Among those listed as plaintiffs are Wabara; former Niger State Governor and BoT Secretary, Muazu Babangida Aliyu; former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; and PDP elder statesman, Olabode George. They are named as the first to fourth plaintiffs respectively.
Also joined in the suit are former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma; former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina; BoT and NEC member, Dame Esther Uduehi; and the PDP, who are listed as the fifth to eighth plaintiffs.
INEC is the sole defendant in the matter.
At Friday’s proceedings, Chief Gordy Uche, SAN, informed the court that he was representing all eight plaintiffs, including the PDP.
However, shortly after his announcement, Mr. Sunday Ameh, SAN, also rose to announce his appearance on behalf of the PDP, a development that immediately created uncertainty in the courtroom.
The situation sparked confusion among those present as both lawyers laid claim to representing the same party in the suit.
Factional PDP National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, and Prof. Jerry Gana were among party stakeholders who attended the court session.
