PDP accuses rival group of distorting Appeal Court judgment, seeks probe

By Tolu Temidire

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused a group it described as individuals "falsely parading themselves as the Interim National Working Committee" of deliberately misrepresenting a recent Court of Appeal judgment, warning that such actions threaten the integrity of the judiciary and the rule of law.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the party expressed concern over a June 3, 2026 press statement issued on behalf of the group by legal practitioner Comrade Ini Ememobong, alleging that portions of the statement contained misleading interpretations of the appellate court's ruling.

The PDP maintained that the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment delivered by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam on June 3 and certified on June 5 was clear and unambiguous, insisting that the court's decision had been deliberately distorted for political purposes.

According to the party, the Court of Appeal did not invalidate the legality or constitutionality of the caretaker committee from which the current National Working Committee emerged.

Rather, it said the appeal was dismissed on the grounds that it was an academic exercise and an attempt to relitigate matters already settled by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

"The judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, delivered on January 30, 2026, remains valid, subsisting, binding and fully enforceable," the statement said.

The PDP further claimed that nowhere in the appellate court's ruling was there any pronouncement regarding Mr. A.K. Ajibade (SAN) or Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu, contrary to interpretations being circulated in some quarters.

The party also raised concerns over what it described as the circulation of altered excerpts of the judgment on social media.

It alleged that portions highlighted and presented as part of the court's decision did not originate from the authentic ruling.

Describing the development as a serious matter, the PDP called on security and regulatory agencies to investigate the source and intent of the materials and take appropriate action against those responsible.

The opposition party also urged the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to investigate legal practitioners accused of misrepresenting court judgments and using their professional status to spread falsehoods.

In addition, the PDP appealed to media organisations to exercise caution in reporting legal matters by verifying court documents and seeking proper legal guidance before publishing interpretations that could mislead the public or escalate political tensions.

Reaffirming its confidence in the judiciary, the party said judicial decisions must be respected and accurately represented, warning that deliberate distortion of court rulings undermines public trust in democratic institutions.

The PDP consequently called for sanctions against anyone found to have knowingly misrepresented the Court of Appeal judgment, arguing that failure to act could encourage further misinformation and erode confidence in the administration of justice.

The party also urged Nigerians, media organisations, stakeholders and its members to disregard claims that the Court of Appeal had invalidated the current National Working Committee, while expressing support for the leadership of Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu.