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By Correspondent in Abuja.
A mild drama played out at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Damagum, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, openly disagreed over who has the authority to appoint lawyers to represent the party in court.
The disagreement occurred during the hearing of a suit seeking to stop the PDP’s planned national convention, slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, before Justice James Omotosho.
Damagum, who was physically present in court, had through a letter he personally signed, authorized Chief Chris Uche, SAN, to represent the party in the matter. However, Ajibade countered the move, insisting that under the PDP constitution, he alone has the power to appoint legal representation for the party.
Our correspondent reports that the suit was filed by Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
They sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), the National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee (NEC) as 1st to 6th defendants.
When the case was called, Joseph Daudu, SAN, appeared for the plaintiffs.
Chief Uche, accompanied by more than five other Senior Advocates, announced appearance for the PDP—an action immediately challenged by Ajibade, who also stood up to announce appearance for the same party.
While Uche relied on Damagum’s written authorization, Ajibade cited legal precedents and the party’s constitution to back his claim as the sole authority empowered to appoint counsel for the PDP.
Justice Omotosho stood down proceedings for ten minutes to allow both men to reconcile, but when the court reconvened, they reported being unable to reach an agreement. Uche then sought a short adjournment to allow time for a resolution.
In response, Daudu urged the court to proceed with the plaintiffs’ case on the next adjourned date if the issue of representation remained unresolved.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until October 16 for further hearing.
Earlier in the proceedings, the judge 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.
Their joinder applications, moved by Paul Erokoro, SAN, and Audu Anuga, SAN, were opposed by Daudu but eventually granted. The court ordered the plaintiffs to amend their processes accordingly.
The court session also witnessed the presence of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who observed the proceedings.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
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