The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the party’s National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), openly disagreed over legal representation for the party.
The dispute arose during the hearing of a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members — Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South) — seeking to stop the party’s planned National Convention.
Tension heightened when Damagum, who was present in court, appointed Chris Uche (SAN) through a signed letter to represent the PDP in the case. However, Ajibade insisted that only his office, as provided by the party’s constitution, had the authority to appoint legal representation for the PDP.
When the matter was called before Justice James Omotosho, both Uche and Ajibade announced separate appearances for the PDP, resulting in confusion. Uche presented Damagum’s letter of appointment, while Ajibade cited court precedents affirming his exclusive right to engage lawyers on behalf of the party.
Visibly unsettled by the disagreement, Justice Omotosho stood down the proceedings for 10 minutes to allow both party officials to resolve the issue outside the courtroom. Upon their return, they reported that no agreement had been reached, prompting Uche to request a short adjournment for further reconciliation.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the court to proceed with the hearing if the dispute remained unresolved by the next sitting. The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to Thursday, October 16, for hearing.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho also granted applications to join Damagum, Ali Odef, and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.
While counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN) and Audu Anuga (SAN) argued that their clients were necessary parties who would be affected by the case outcome, Daudu opposed the applications, insisting no reliefs were sought against them.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that Damagum, Odef, and Ogidi were indeed necessary parties and ordered their inclusion as defendants. He further directed the plaintiffs to amend their court filings accordingly.
