The Interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Turaki, has announced plans to appeal a Federal High Court judgment that struck out a suit seeking recognition of its leadership.
In a statement issued on Friday by the National Publicity Secretary of the Interim NWC, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the group said Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, upheld the preliminary objection raised by the defendants and dismissed the case filed by the party’s Board of Trustees and some founding leaders.
According to the statement, the suit sought, among other reliefs, judicial recognition of the Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee.
The court, however, held that the matter concerned the leadership of the PDP and constituted an internal party affair beyond the jurisdiction of the court.
Reacting to the judgment, the Interim NWC said it disagreed with the ruling, arguing that it was inconsistent with existing decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on similar matters.
“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 said.
The group disclosed that its legal team had been instructed to immediately challenge the judgment at the appellate court. “The plaintiffs have accordingly briefed their lawyers to take immediate steps to appeal the rulings and judgment,” it added.
Expressing confidence in the outcome of the appeal, the Interim NWC maintained that its struggle was aimed at protecting internal democracy and strengthening opposition politics in the country.
“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 said.
