Politics
Court Of Appeal Dismisses PDP’s Suit Against Tinubu, Shettima
On Friday evening, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed an appeal made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to disqualify Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his running mate, Kassim Shettima, from the 25 February election.
In a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel led by Justice James Abundaga ruled that the PDP did not have the legal standing (locus standi) to bring the case, as they failed to establish a legal basis for it.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the PDP filed an appeal with the appellate court, marked as CA/ABJ/CV/108/2023, requesting a reversal of the 13 January judgment given by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The previous judgment had dismissed the PDP’s case, citing a lack of legal standing to bring the suit.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as Bola Tinubu and Kassim Shettima, were respondents in the appeal, while the PDP was the appellant in the case.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed a lawsuit on 28 July 2022, challenging the eligibility of Bola Tinubu and Kassim Shettima as the presidential and vice-presidential candidates respectively, for the 2023 election.
The suit argued that Kassim Shettima’s nomination as the vice-presidential candidate for the APC was a violation of Sections 29(1), 33, 35, and 84(1)(2) of the amended 2022 Electoral Act.
The party claimed that Shettima had been nominated for two different political offices, which constituted a breach of the electoral laws.
According to the PDP’s lawsuit, Kassim Shettima’s nomination as the APC’s vice-presidential candidate violated the electoral laws because he had not resigned or withdrawn his candidacy for the Borno Central senatorial election at the time of his nomination.
The PDP not only sought the disqualification of the APC, Bola Tinubu, and Kassim Shettima from the 25 February presidential election, but also requested an order nullifying their candidacy in the election.
Additionally, the PDP requested that the court order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the names of the APC, Bola Tinubu, and Kassim Shettima from the list of nominated or sponsored candidates eligible to participate in the presidential election.
However, the defendants filed a preliminary objection, urging the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction.
The defendants argued that the PDP had no legal standing to bring the case since it challenged the APC’s decision and nomination of candidates, which they claimed were within the internal affairs of the party and therefore not justiciable.
They contended that the PDP lacked the legal basis to bring the case before the court.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Abundaga, he concurred with the arguments of the respondents’ lawyers, including Thomas Ojo of Lateef Fagbemi and Co. The judge described the PDP as a busybody that meddled in the internal affairs of the APC.
Justice Abundaga also ruled that the trial court’s decision that the PDP lacked legal standing to bring the case was correct.
The appellant’s lawyer, J.O. Olotu, was ordered to pay a cost of N5 million by the judge.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially kicked off its nationwide elections, marking the start of a major leadership renewal ahead of the party’s National Convention scheduled for April 14, 2026.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, and National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, outlined the timetable for the election process.
According to the statement, polling unit and ward congresses will hold on April 7, followed by local government area congresses on April 9 and state congresses on April 11.
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The exercise is part of ADC’s constitutional mandate to refresh its leadership structures across all levels, culminating in the national convention in April. Party members interested in contesting vacant positions have been urged to obtain and submit nomination or expression of interest forms via the official ADC website.
“This process forms part of the party’s constitutional responsibility to renew its leadership structures across all levels of the organisation, culminating in the national convention,” the statement said.
The party also called on members nationwide to participate actively in the congresses and to conduct themselves in accordance with ADC’s constitution, guidelines, and democratic principles.
The nationwide elections are expected to set the stage for a robust leadership team as ADC positions itself strategically ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
SEE MORE: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
The lingering intra-party crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forced senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The letter, which was made available to journalists on Thursday, said the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
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“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lingering disputes and leadership disagreements in the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
“The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he added.
Despite leaving the party, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it gave him to serve in different capacities.
“I remain grateful to the party for the platform it provided me to serve Nigeria as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Sokoto State,” he said.
Tambuwal confirmed that he had joined the ADC alongside his political associates and supporters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen democratic values and provide a credible political alternative.
“My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” he added.
Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 before emerging governor of Sokoto State in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He later defected to the PDP the same year and was re-elected governor in 2019.
After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Sokoto South.
His defection to the ADC is expected to alter the political dynamics in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures.
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