A disagreement between the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, unfolded in open court at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday. The clash emerged during a hearing of a suit filed by three aggrieved members who seek to stop the party’s planned National Convention. The plaintiffs—Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, Imo PDP chairman; Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia PDP chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, PDP Secretary for the South‑South—aim to prevent the convention scheduled for 15‑16 November 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State, and to halt the election of new National Officers.
At the hearing, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, announced his appearance for the PDP, claiming to possess a letter from the National Chairman appointing him as the party’s representative. Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, countered, asserting that he alone holds the authority to appoint legal representation for the party, citing the PDP Constitution and relevant judgments. Justice James Omotosho paused the hearing for ten minutes to allow the National Chairman and the National Legal Adviser to resolve their differences, but no agreement was reached. Consequently, Chris Uche requested a short adjournment, and the judge fixed Thursday, 16 October, for the next hearing.
During the proceedings, Justice Omotosho also joined Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the suit. Their joinder was granted after their lawyers argued that they were necessary parties who would be affected by the case’s outcome. This development underscores the ongoing crisis of confidence within the PDP, which has been plagued by internal power struggles and disagreements. The National Convention, scheduled for next month, is expected to be a crucial event in shaping the party’s future leadership, and the outcome of the suit, as well as the resolution of internal disputes, will be closely watched by party members and the wider political community.
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