The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described the Court of Appeal’s judgment on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention in Ibadan as a wake-up call for party members to look inward and address internal challenges.
Speaking on Monday at his residence in Abuja, shortly after visiting the Kwali Area Council as part of his thank-you tour, Wike urged party members not to take the matter to the Supreme Court, warning that doing so would prolong the PDP’s internal crisis. “We have fought, let us now drop personal interest. If you are a lover of the party, you will not go to the Supreme Court,” he said.
On the convention, Wike reaffirmed that the dates of March 29 and 30, as earlier announced by the caretaker committee, remain unchanged. He also disclosed that approval has been secured to host the convention at the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja. “We have started preparing for it, and it will hold by the grace of God,” he added.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed an appeal by the PDP against the October 31 judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention planned by the party in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.
A three-member appellate panel ruled unanimously against the PDP on four issues, holding that the appeal was without merit and that the trial court correctly granted reliefs sought by the plaintiffs. The court also rejected the PDP’s claim that the trial court lacked jurisdiction, affirming that the plaintiffs had the locus standi to protect their democratic rights.
The court further awarded N2 million as costs against the PDP (Turaki group) for filing a frivolous appeal, noting that the party was not denied a fair hearing as claimed. Other judgments and rulings related to the PDP are scheduled to be heard in due course.
