PDP crisis deepens as Damagun, Ajibade clash in court over convention
By John Okezie
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new dimension at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, where the National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), clashed over counsel representation.
For several minutes, the court was subjected to intense argument by Damagun and Ajibade over who has the powers to appoint a lawyer to represent the party, in a suit brought by three aggrieved members of the party seeking to stop the planned National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16.
Damagum, who was physically present in the crowded court, had, in a letter he personally signed, mandated Chief Chris Uche, SAN to represent PDP in the legal action, while Ajibade, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) insisted that he was the only authority that can appoint legal representation for PDP.
When the matter was called, Joseph Daudu, SAN announced appearance for the three plaintiffs, namely, Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman) and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
However, trouble started when Chief Chris Uche, SAN with more than five other SANs announced appearance for PDP, the move that was immediately countered by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Ajibade, who also announced appearance for the same party.
In the ensuing drama, Chris Uche informed Justice James Omotosho that he had a letter from PDP National Chairman appointing him to represent the party in the suit. But Ajibade swiftly replied that he was the sole authority vested with power by PDP Constitution to appoint legal representation for the party and cited some judgments to that effect.
To calm the situation, Justice Omotosho stood down the hearing of the matter for 10 minutes for the National Chairman and the National Legal Adviser to go out of the court to put their house in order.
After the meeting, the two parties reported that they were unable to reconcile on legal representation, prompting Chris Uche, SAN to seek a short adjournment, to enable the National Chairman and the National Legal Adviser to reconcile their differences.
At this point, Daudu, who stood for the plaintiffs, pleaded with the Judge to go ahead with the hearing of his client’s matter if, on the adjourned date, the two parties are unable to resolve their differences. Justice Omotosho subsequently fixed tomorrow for the hearing of the matter.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho joined Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi as 7th, 8th and 9th defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025. They were joined in two separate applications argued by their respective lawyers, Paul Erokoro and Audu Anuga, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Erokoro, while arguing for Damagum’s joinder informed the court that he is a necessary party on account of his being the National Chairman of PDP, Chairman of the National Working Committee (NWC), Chairman of the National Executive Committee as well as the Chairman of the Convention committee.
Audu Anuga, SAN, in his submission on joinder for Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi, informed the court that the two are officers of the PDP, who would be affected one way or the other by the outcome of the case.
The joinder request was vehemently opposed by the counsel to the three plaintiffs, Joseph Daudu, who urged the court to discountenance the request.
Daudu argued that the three plaintiffs did not seek any relief against those seeking to be joined, adding that their request for joinder and, if joined, would serve no purpose.
In his brief ruling, Justice Omotosho said he had considered the status of Umar Illiya Damagum, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi and found them to be necessary parties that would be affected one way or the other by the outcome of the case.
The judge then granted their request and ordered the three plaintiffs to make them as 7th, 8th and 9th defendants. The judge also ordered the plaintiffs to effect consequential amendments for the names of the three people to reflect in the processes that would be filed in respect of the matter.
The first six defendants are, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party, Umar Baturrle, National Organising Secretary of the party, NWC and NEC of the party.
The three plaintiffs had instituted the suit seeking to stop the planned November 15 and 16, 2025 National Convention of PDP scheduled for Ibadan, in Oyo State, where new national officers are expected to be elected.
