The deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) played out dramatically in public on Tuesday, as National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, openly disagreed in court over who holds the authority to appoint lawyers for the party.
The spectacle unfolded before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, during the hearing of a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members seeking to halt the party’s planned National Convention slated for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
When the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was called, Joseph Daudu, SAN, appeared 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 Chris Uche, SAN, announced appearance for the PDP based on a letter personally signed by Damagum authorizing him to represent the party. But moments later, Ajibade, the National Legal Adviser, countered by also announcing appearance for the same party, insisting that under the PDP constitution, only his office has the power to engage legal representation.
Citing precedents to back his claim, Ajibade argued that Damagum’s action was unconstitutional. Uche, however, maintained that his brief from the chairman was valid and binding.
A visibly surprised Justice Omotosho intervened, standing down the proceedings for ten minutes to allow both officers to resolve their differences outside the courtroom. But after the brief recess, they returned without agreement.
Uche subsequently requested a short adjournment to enable the party leadership to reconcile the issue. Daudu, however, urged the court to proceed with hearing the substantive matter if the rift persists by the next sitting.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to Thursday, October 16, 2025, for hearing.
In a related development, the court granted the request of Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi to be joined as 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the suit.
Their applications, argued by Paul Erokoro, SAN, and Audu Anuga, SAN, were opposed by Daudu but upheld by the court, which ruled that the trio are necessary parties whose interests could be affected by the outcome.
Justice Omotosho directed the plaintiffs to amend their originating processes to reflect the new defendants.
The first six defendants in the suit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organizing Secretary), the National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The plaintiffs are asking the court to restrain the PDP from proceeding with the November convention pending the determination of their suit.
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