PDP Crisis Deepens as National Chairman, Legal Adviser Clash Over Party Representation in Court

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday when the party’s National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, engaged in an open confrontation over who has the authority to appoint legal representation for the party.

The clash occurred during the hearing of a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members seeking to halt the party’s planned National Convention. Damagum and Ajibade reportedly struggled for several minutes in court over who should designate counsel to represent the PDP in the case.

While Damagum, who was physically present in court, had personally signed a letter authorizing Chief Chris Uche, SAN, to represent the PDP, Ajibade insisted that only he, as the National Legal Adviser, was empowered by the party’s constitution to appoint legal counsel.

When the case was called before Justice James Omotosho, Joseph Daudu, SAN, appeared for the three 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, along with over five other senior advocates, announced appearance for the PDP. His action was immediately countered by Ajibade, who also announced appearance for the same party.

In the heated exchange that followed, Uche informed the court that he was acting on the directive of the National Chairman, while Ajibade maintained that the constitution vested such authority solely in his office, citing relevant judicial precedents.

Visibly surprised by the disagreement, Justice Omotosho stood down the matter for ten minutes, directing both Damagum and Ajibade to reconcile their positions outside the courtroom. However, after the break, they returned without resolution, prompting Uche to request a short adjournment to allow further consultation.

Daudu, representing the plaintiffs, urged the judge to proceed with the hearing if the disagreement persisted by the next date. Consequently, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Thursday, October 16, for further hearing.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the court also joined Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.

The joinder applications, presented by Senior Advocates Paul Erokoro and Audu Anuga, were granted despite opposition from Daudu, who argued that no relief was sought against the trio. Justice Omotosho ruled that they were necessary parties whose interests could be affected by the case’s outcome and ordered the plaintiffs to amend their processes accordingly.

The first six defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee (NEC).

The plaintiffs are seeking an order stopping the PDP’s planned National Convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers are expected to be elected.