PDP Leadership Crisis Deepens as Chairman and National Legal Adviser Clash in Court

Strategic Insights -

The dispute between Umar Iliya Damagum, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Kamaldeen Ajibade, the party's National Legal Adviser, threatened to derail the party's National Convention on Tuesday. The drama unfolded in the Federal High Court, Abuja, as the two leaders battled over who has the power to appoint a lawyer to represent the party in a suit instituted by three aggrieved members.

The controversy started when Chris Uche, SAN, announced his appearance for the party, citing a letter from Damagum appointing him as the party's lawyer. However, Ajibade countered that he is the sole authority vested with power by the PDP Constitution to appoint legal representation for the party. Justice James Omotosho was forced to intervene, standing down the hearing for 10 minutes to ask the two leaders to resolve their differences.

Key Takeaways:

  • The dispute between Damagum and Ajibade threatens to derail the party's National Convention.
  • The two leaders clashed over who has the power to appoint a lawyer to represent the party in a suit instituted by three aggrieved members.
  • Chris Uche, SAN, was initially appointed by Damagum to represent the party, but Ajibade insisted that he had the sole authority to appoint legal representation.
  • Justice Omotosho stood down the hearing for 10 minutes, asking the two leaders to resolve their differences.
  • The matter has been adjourned to October 16, 2025, with an instruction to the two parties to resolve their differences before then.
  • The dispute has exposed deep divisions within the PDP leadership, potentially undermining the party's unity and effectiveness.

Statistics:

  • At least five Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) were involved in the controversy, including Chris Uche SAN, Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, Joseph Daudu SAN, and at least two other SANs whose names were not mentioned.
  • The dispute has already delayed the hearing of the matter by 10 minutes.
  • The matter has been adjourned to October 16, 2025, with an expected resolution of the leadership crisis before then.
  • The PDP National Convention, which was already facing challenges, is now under threat due to the leadership dispute.

Sources:

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