Drama in court as Damagum, PDP legal adviser clash over suit to stop convention

There was mild drama at the federal high court in Abuja on Tuesday as Umar Damagum, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Kamaldeen Ajibade, the party’s national legal adviser, openly disagreed over who holds the authority to appoint lawyers for the party.

The disagreement occurred during the hearing of a suit filed by three aggrieved members seeking to stop the PDP’s planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo state.

The scene unfolded when Chris Uche, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), announced his appearance for the PDP, citing a letter signed by Damagum authorising him to represent the party.

However, moments later, Ajibade also announced appearance for the PDP, arguing that only his office has the constitutional power to engage legal representation on behalf of the party.

The conflicting claims created confusion in the courtroom, with both senior lawyers standing their ground before James Omotosho, who presided over the matter.

Surprised by the exchange, the judge stood down proceedings for about 10 minutes and directed the two party leaders to “put their house in order”. But when the court reconvened, the disagreement remained unresolved.

Uche later sought a short adjournment to allow both sides attempt reconciliation, while Joseph Daudu, counsel to the plaintiffs, urged the court to proceed with the case on the next adjourned date should the PDP fail to settle its internal dispute.

Omotosho subsequently adjourned the hearing till Thursday, October 16.

During Tuesday’s session, the court also granted applications joining Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.

The trio were joined through separate motions filed by their counsel, Paul Erokoro and Audu Anuga, both SANs, who argued that their clients were necessary parties since the outcome of the suit could directly affect their positions within the party.

Daudu opposed the joinder applications, maintaining that the plaintiffs sought no relief against the three new defendants. But Omotosho held that they were necessary parties and directed the plaintiffs to amend their court processes accordingly.

The suit was filed by Austine Nwachukwu, PDP chairman in Imo state; Amah Abraham Nnanna, chairman of the Abia state; and Turnah George, the south-south secretary of the party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary; Umar Bature, national organising secretary; as well as the national working committee (NWC) and national executive committee (NEC) of the party, are the first six defendants in the case.

The plaintiffs, who are said to be allies of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), are challenging the legality of the planned national convention and seeking to restrain the party from proceeding with it.