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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned hearing in a suit seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) planned national convention to Thursday, October 16, following a heated row over who is legally empowered to represent the party in court.
Naija News reports that Justice James Omotosho was forced to suspend proceedings after senior lawyers Chris Uche (SAN) and Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) clashed openly, both claiming to be the authentic counsel for the PDP.
Uche argued that he was personally instructed by the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, while Ajibade, the party’s National Legal Adviser, maintained that only his office was constitutionally empowered to appoint external counsel.
The disagreement prompted Justice Omotosho to order both men to step out and attempt reconciliation. But upon their return, Uche admitted the effort failed, urging the court to proceed, while Ajibade insisted the party’s internal rules must prevail.
Ajibade further alleged that he was threatened during the attempt at reconciliation. “He (Uche) saw the atmosphere outside where some of them were threatening that they would beat me up… I resolved that the matter cannot be resolved here in court. The Constitution of the party internally has to be followed,” he said.
Countering, Uche told the court, “We made serious and deliberate efforts to resolve this minor matter. My Lord, here is a letter signed by the party’s national chairman himself, an instruction given to me.”
The substantive suit was filed by PDP officials Austin Nwachukwu (Imo State Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia State Chairman), and Turnah George (South-South Zonal Secretary). They are asking the court to stop the party’s national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
They also want the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) restrained from monitoring the exercise, alleging violations of the PDP constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
During proceedings, two motions for joinder were moved, one by Paul Erokoro (SAN) on behalf of PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum, and another by Audu Anuga for Chief Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.
Although the plaintiffs’ counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), opposed the motions, Justice Omotosho allowed them, joining Damagum, Odefa, and Ogidi as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the matter.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho cautioned the PDP against making the judicial process “nugatory,” urging the warring factions to settle their internal dispute.
“We will give the party an opportunity to resolve its internal issues. If they do not, I will not entertain any further delays. You are members of the same party, get these issues resolved. Politicians are funny, and I’ll say it again: judicial processes should not be made nugatory,” the judge declared.
He then adjourned the matter to Thursday for the hearing of the substantive suit and all pending applications, giving parties 24 hours to file their responses.
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