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There was confusion at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday as the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn.
The party’s National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, clashed openly over who has the authority to appoint a lawyer to represent the party.
The disagreement came up during the hearing of a suit filed by three aggrieved members seeking to stop the PDP’s planned National Convention.
The convention is scheduled to hold on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
When the case was called before Justice James Omotosho, Joseph Daudu (SAN) appeared for the three plaintiffs, Austin Nwachukwu, Imo PDP Chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia PDP Chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, PDP Secretary, South-South.
Drama started when Chris Uche (SAN), alongside more than five other Senior Advocates, announced appearance for the PDP.
His announcement was immediately countered by Ajibade, who also declared appearance for the same party.
Uche informed the court that he was appointed by Damagum through a letter personally signed by the National Chairman.
But Ajibade insisted that he alone has the constitutional authority to appoint legal representation for the PDP, citing past court judgments to back his claim.
Surprised by the development, Justice Omotosho paused the hearing for 10 minutes and directed both Damagum and Ajibade to step out of the courtroom to resolve their differences.
After the break, both men returned to court but reported that they could not reach an agreement.
Uche then requested a short adjournment to allow time for reconciliation, while Daudu, representing the plaintiffs, urged the court to proceed if the disagreement persisted by the next adjourned date.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the hearing to Thursday, October 16, 2025.
At Tuesday’s session, the court also joined Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.
Their inclusion followed separate applications moved by their lawyers, Paul Erokoro (SAN) and Audu Anuga (SAN).
Erokoro argued that Damagum was a necessary party in the case as the PDP National Chairman, Chairman of the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), and the Convention Committee.
Anuga, on his part, said Odefa and Ogidi were key officers of the party who would be directly affected by the outcome of the suit.
Daudu opposed the request for joinder, arguing that the plaintiffs did not seek any relief against the trio and that their inclusion would serve no useful purpose.
In a brief ruling, Justice Omotosho held that Damagum, Odefa, and Ogidi were necessary parties likely to be affected by the judgment.
He granted their applications and directed the plaintiffs to amend their court processes to include their names.
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 asking the court to stop the PDP’s planned convention, where new national officers are expected to be elected.