A heated dispute erupted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, clashed over who has the authority to appoint a lawyer to represent the party. The disagreement occurred during a hearing of a suit filed by three aggrieved members seeking to stop the planned National Convention of the party, scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The plaintiffs, Hon Austin Nwachukwu, Imo PDP chairman, Hon Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia PDP chairman, and Turnah Alabh George, PDP Secretary, South-South, were represented by Joseph Daudu, SAN. The PDP was initially represented by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, who claimed to have a letter from Damagum appointing him to represent the party. However, Ajibade, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), insisted that he was the sole authority vested with the power to appoint legal representation for the party, citing relevant judgments.
Justice James Omotosho, taken aback by the development, stood down the hearing for 10 minutes to allow the parties to resolve their differences. Upon their return, the parties reported that they were unable to reconcile, prompting Chris Uche, SAN, to request a short adjournment. The judge subsequently fixed Thursday, October 16, for the hearing of the matter.
In a related development, Justice Omotosho joined Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi as 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the suit, following separate applications argued by their respective lawyers, Paul Erokoro and Audu Anuga, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria. The judge found them to be necessary parties who would be affected by the outcome of the case.
The initial six defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party, Umar Baturrle, National Organizing Secretary of the party, NWC, and NEC of the party. The plaintiffs are seeking to stop the planned National Convention, where new National Officers are expected to be elected. The court’s decision on the matter is anticipated to have significant implications for the party’s future.
