The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Tuesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, when the party’s National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), openly disagreed over who has the authority to appoint legal representation for the party.
The disagreement occurred during the hearing of a suit filed by three aggrieved members seeking to stop the party’s planned national convention.
Damagum, who was physically present in court, had by a letter personally signed by him appointed Chief Chris Uche (SAN) to represent the PDP in the case.
However, Ajibade (SAN) opposed the move, insisting that under the PDP constitution, only the National Legal Adviser has the authority to appoint lawyers on behalf of the party.
When the matter, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was called before Justice James Omotosho, Joseph Daudu (SAN) announced appearance for the plaintiffs — Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
Trouble began when Chief Uche, accompanied by five other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, announced appearance for the PDP. His representation was immediately countered by Ajibade, who also announced appearance for the same party.
Uche informed the court that his appearance was based on the written instruction of the National Chairman, but Ajibade maintained that the PDP constitution vests that authority solely in his office, citing judicial precedents to back his position.
Apparently taken aback by the dispute, Justice Omotosho stood down the proceedings for ten minutes, directing both officials to resolve their differences outside the courtroom.
When the session resumed, both parties reported that they could not reach a resolution. Consequently, Uche requested a short adjournment to allow further reconciliation.
Daudu, representing the plaintiffs, however, urged the court to proceed with the substantive hearing if the issue remains unresolved by the next adjourned date.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till Thursday, October 16, 2025, for hearing.
At Tuesday’s session, the judge also granted applications by three PDP leaders — Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi — to be joined as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the case.
The applications were moved by their respective counsels, Paul Erokoro (SAN) and Audu Anuga (SAN), who argued that their clients were necessary parties who would be directly affected by the court’s decision.
The plaintiffs’ counsel, Daudu, opposed the applications, arguing that no relief was sought against the trio and that their joinder would serve no useful purpose.
In a brief ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the three officials were indeed necessary parties, given their roles in the party’s hierarchy and potential involvement in the forthcoming convention.
He consequently ordered the plaintiffs to amend their processes to reflect the new defendants.
The first six defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; the National Organizing Secretary, Umar Bature; the PDP National Working Committee (NWC); and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The plaintiffs are seeking an order restraining the PDP from holding its planned national convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, where new national officers are expected to be elected.
