By Rukevwe Odeh

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 7, 2026, to hear all pending applications and the substantive suit filed by the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is seeking an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the party’s interim National Working Committee led by Kabir Turaki.

The hearing date was set by Justice Salim Ibrahim after lawyers representing the parties agreed to exchange all outstanding court documents before the next sitting. The court directed that every process must be filed and served on or before July 6, warning that no further delays would be accepted.

In the suit, the PDP BoT is asking the court to compel INEC to update its official records to reflect the Turaki-led interim leadership ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections. The plaintiffs argue that the electoral commission is legally obligated to comply with previous court decisions, which they claim nullified the party’s 2025 national convention and upheld the suspension of certain party officials.

The outcome of the case is expected to play a significant role in determining which leadership structure INEC officially recognises as the PDP continues efforts to resolve its internal leadership dispute before the next general election.

By Favour Bibaikefie

Political tensions are escalating across Nigeria as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the process for political parties to upload the names of their candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The development has sparked renewed leadership disputes, protests, and legal battles within several political parties, with rival groups competing for control of candidate nominations ahead of the submission deadline.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains at the center of the crisis. The faction currently recognized by INEC confirmed that it has received the commission’s access code and has already started uploading its list of candidates. Party officials expressed confidence that the exercise would be completed before the deadline.

However, the opposing faction insists it has not been granted access to the portal. It maintains that ongoing court proceedings will eventually determine the legitimate leadership of the party before the nomination process is concluded. The disagreement stems from a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the party’s previous national convention, leaving the PDP with parallel leadership structures. INEC has maintained that it will only recognize the faction backed by the courts.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is also facing internal disagreements in some states. In Ondo State, groups of women and youths staged protests, alleging that the candidate list released after the party’s primaries did not reflect the actual outcome of the elections. The protesters accused some party leaders of attempting to impose candidates and demanded that the original results be respected.

Meanwhile, another faction within the APC defended the party’s leadership, arguing that reviewing the primary election results was necessary to address irregularities identified during the process.

Across the country, several political parties have confirmed receiving INEC’s access credentials and have begun uploading their candidates. Nevertheless, unresolved court cases and internal disputes continue to create uncertainty for some aspirants.

Smaller opposition parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are also dealing with legal and administrative challenges as they work toward participating fully in the 2027 elections.

Political observers believe the candidate nomination exercise could trigger additional court cases and deepen internal divisions within parties before Nigerians head to the polls in 2027.

By Divine Perezide

Prominent opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, are at the forefront of efforts to challenge a Federal High Court ruling that temporarily unsettled the status of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), as the party prepares to file an appeal.

The controversy follows a recent judgment by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside an earlier order that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC. Although the ruling has sparked political tension, party leaders insist it does not amount to deregistration.

Ahead of the appeal scheduled for Monday, the NDC has intensified internal consultations involving its top leadership, including Obi, former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, members of the National Working Committee, and other key stakeholders. The meetings were aimed at finalising legal and political strategies for the case.

Party insiders revealed that emergency sessions were held over the weekend to prepare for the court process, even though the identity of the lead counsel for the appeal has not been officially disclosed. However, the party’s National Legal Adviser is expected to play a central role in the case.

The party’s National Secretary confirmed that the appeal would be filed as planned, while also stressing that the ruling did not invalidate the NDC’s participation in the political process.

Kwankwaso, in a separate statement following a visit to Seriake Dickson in Abuja, expressed confidence that the party would overcome its current legal challenges. He described the situation as a temporary setback, urging members and supporters to remain calm and focused ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to unity and legal due process, insisting that no judicial decision would derail what he described as a growing political movement built on shared aspirations.

Meanwhile, Dickson assured party members that the ruling would not affect their candidacy status or electoral preparations. He maintained that the party remained on track and would pursue its case through the appellate courts rather than through confrontation.

Supporters of the NDC, including allied political movements, have also expressed optimism that the appeal would succeed, arguing that the judgment will ultimately be overturned.

Senior legal practitioners have weighed in on the matter, noting that the ruling of a Federal High Court is subject to appeal and does not automatically bar any political party or candidate from participating in elections unless expressly stated by a higher court.

They added that the Court of Appeal remains the appropriate venue to determine the final outcome of the dispute, while advising that parties involved should act swiftly given the political implications of the case.

The NDC maintains that it remains a valid political party and has continued its preparations for the 2027 general elections, including internal organisation, candidate selection, and nationwide engagement activities.