The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a lower court ruling preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention held on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a unanimous judgment, the appellate court dismissed the PDP’s appeal against the October 31 decision delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court. The three-judge panel examined all four issues the PDP raised in its appeal and found them to be without merit, describing the challenge as frivolous.

The court also awarded N2 million in costs against the PDP, reinforcing the legal barrier for the party to have INEC recognize the outcomes of its Ibadan convention.