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Chairpersons

PDP Crisis Deepens as National Chairman and Legal Adviser Clash Over Counsel Representation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The internal crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new dimension with the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, clashing over counsel representation at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court. The dispute arose in a suit brought by three aggrieved members of the party seeking to stop the planned National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16. The hearing of the matter was stood down for 10 minutes for the two parties to reconcile their differences, but they were unable to resolve the issue, prompting a short adjournment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The crisis in the PDP deepened as National Chairman Umar Damagum and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade clashed over counsel representation in a suit brought by three aggrieved members of the party.
  • The dispute arose over who has the powers to appoint a lawyer to represent the party in the legal action, with Damagum insisting he had the authority and Ajibade opposing him.
  • The court was subjected to intense argument by the two party officials over the matter, with Chief Chris Uche announcing appearance for the PDP and Ajibade countering that he was the sole authority vested with power to appoint legal representation for the party.
  • Justice James Omotosho stood down the hearing of the matter for 10 minutes for the National Chairman and the National Legal Adviser to resolve their differences, but they were unable to reconcile.
  • The hearing of the matter was subsequently adjourned to October 16, with the judge requesting the plaintiffs to proceed with their case if the parties were unable to resolve their differences.

Statistics:

  • The suit was marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 and was heard at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.
  • The National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 was expected to be held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
  • Three plaintiffs instituted the suit, namely Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
  • Four new defendants were joined in the suit, namely Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi.
  • The first six defendants in the suit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party, Umar Baturrle, National Organising Secretary of the party, and the NWC and NEC of the party.

Sources:

  • "PDP Crisis Deepens as National Chairman and Legal Adviser Clash Over Counsel Representation," ThisDay, October 9, 2025.

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