Court upholds judgement nullifying Abia PDP congresses

— Dismisses appeal, voids disputed primaries

By Steve Oko

UMUAHIA — The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, has affirmed the judgement nullifying the Ward and Local Government Congresses/primaries of the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The appellate court upheld an earlier judgment by the Abia State High Court that nullified the disputed ward and local government primaries held in 2024.

In a ruling delivered by Justice Festus Ntong on March 30, 2026, the appellate court dismissed an appeal against the decision of the Abia State High Court, Bende Judicial Division, presided over by Justice C. Okoroafor, in Suit No. HB/5/2024.

The earlier suit at Abia High Court filed by Enyinnaya Ogbu and two others against the former Chairman of Abia PDP, Hon. Alwell Asiforo Okere and eight others, challenged the conduct of parallel primaries and the submission of candidates for the 2024 local government elections.

The High Court had held that the actions were unlawful, citing defiance of due process and subsisting court orders, and ruled in favour of Ogbu – one of the chairmanship aspirants from Ukwa.

Dissatisfied, the defendants appealed the High Court verdict, contesting jurisdiction, competence, and Ogbu’s standing.

But the Court of Appeal found no merit in the arguments and dismissed the case in its entirety.

Reacting, Ogbu described the verdict as “a victory for the rule of law,” stressing that party affairs do not enjoy immunity where illegality is established.

He urged PDP members and stakeholders to remain calm and respect the judgment.

According to him, the ruling cements the High Court’s decision as binding and is set to impact the status of candidates produced through the nullified primaries.

Council to the defendants, Oliver Amuzie, described the judgement as “well deserved, erudite and meticulously delivered”.

When contacted, the Abia State Chairman of the Nyesom Wike -led faction of the PDP, Elder Abraham Amah, said he was not aware of the judgment but added that it had nothing to do with his-led State Working Committee.

He explained that the Court had not decided on the suit challenging the State Congress that produced him.

Meanwhile the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of PDP had earlier this year, appointed Ikpegbu Emeka -Yellow as the Abia PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman.

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