The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the party’s National Chairman, 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 courtroom confrontation unfolded during the hearing of a suit filed by three aggrieved members seeking to halt the party’s planned National Convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Damagum, who was physically present in court, had in a letter personally signed by him, mandated Chris Uche (SAN) to appear for the PDP. However, Ajibade countered, insisting that only he, as the party’s National Legal Adviser, has constitutional powers to appoint lawyers on behalf of the party — citing precedents to back his claim.
The clash threw the courtroom into confusion, prompting Justice James Omotosho to stand down the case for ten minutes to allow both party leaders to reconcile their differences outside. When they returned, however, they informed the court that no resolution had been reached.
Uche then requested a short adjournment to enable further reconciliation, while counsel to the plaintiffs, Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the judge to proceed with the matter if the impasse persists.
Justice Omotosho adjourned hearing to Thursday, October 16, 2025.
In a related development, the court granted applications to join Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi as 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025. The applications were moved by Senior Advocates Paul Erokoro and Audu Anuga, who argued that the trio are necessary parties due to their roles within the PDP.
Although the plaintiffs’ counsel opposed the joinder, Justice Omotosho ruled that the individuals were indeed necessary parties who could be affected by the outcome of the case.
The judge directed the plaintiffs to amend their filings to reflect the new defendants.
The first six defendants in the matter remain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, its National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
The three plaintiffs — Imo PDP chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia PDP chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and PDP South-South Secretary Turnah Alabh George — are seeking to stop the party’s scheduled National Convention where new national officers are to be elected.
Comments