Abia PDP Battles Court Ruling, Heads To Appeal Over Disqualification Of Election Candidates
The political temperature in Abia State is heating up once again as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares to challenge a High Court ruling that attempted to disqualify its candidates from the 2024 local government elections. In a determined move to protect its democratic participation, the party announced its intention to file an appeal next week at the Court of Appeal in Owerri.
🔎 Background: The Legal Battle Over 2024 LG Elections
The controversy stems from a recent High Court judgment, which, according to the Abia PDP, sought to invalidate the Chairmanship and Councilorship candidates the party fielded for the November 2, 2024, local government elections.
While the legal wrangling has fueled speculations that the entire PDP structure in the state—from ward to state level—has been nullified, the state chairman of the PDP, Abraham Amah, firmly debunked those claims.
Speaking during an expanded South East Zonal PDP meeting held in Umuahia on Friday, Amah clarified that no part of the party’s internal leadership structure was affected by the judgment.
“The judgment was very clear. No executive from ward to state level was disqualified,” Amah stated.
“The ruling only tried to disqualify our local government election candidates, and we’re appealing that immediately.”
🧾 The PDP’s Legal Strategy
According to Amah, the PDP has received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment after waiting since May 6, 2025. With that official documentation in hand, their legal team has already filed the necessary paperwork at the Bende High Court, which will be forwarded to the Appeal Court in Owerri this coming week.
This proactive legal stance underscores the party’s commitment to defending its democratic right to field candidates and participate in the political process without obstruction.
🗣️ Leadership Voices and Internal Unity
Amah also used the opportunity to praise key party figures, including former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and Senator Austin Akobundu, for their steadfast contributions to the unity and strength of the PDP in Abia State.
The meeting also saw solidarity expressed at the zonal level. The PDP National Vice Chairman for the South East, Chidiebere Goodluck, along with other high-ranking members like the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, reaffirmed their recognition of Samuel Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary of the PDP—a signal that the party is keen on internal alignment as it battles external legal challenges.
💬 What’s at Stake?
If the disqualification of the PDP’s local government candidates stands, it could effectively disenfranchise a major political force in Abia’s grassroots governance, tipping the balance in favor of rival parties. With Nigeria’s democracy still navigating issues of judicial overreach and electoral fairness, this legal standoff could set a precedent on how far courts can go in intervening in party primaries and internal affairs.
⚖️ Conclusion: The Fight Is Far From Over
The Abia PDP’s swift decision to appeal the judgment reflects both its confidence in the legal process and its resilience in the face of political adversity. With tensions rising and the 2025 general elections on the horizon, all eyes will be on the Court of Appeal in Owerri next week.
Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: the PDP is not backing down from the fight for its place in Abia’s political future.
