The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned till October 16 the hearing of a suit seeking to stop the planned national convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The three plaintiffs, Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and George Turnah (PDP Secretary, South-South), instituted the suit to halt the convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers are expected to be elected.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), engaged in a power tussle in open court over who had the authority to appoint the party’s legal representation.
Damagum, who was physically present in court, through a letter he personally signed, mandated Chris Uche (SAN) to represent the PDP in the suit.
However, Ajibade insisted that he alone was constitutionally empowered to appoint the party’s legal representatives.
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Uche informed Justice Inyang Ekwo Omotosho that he had received a written mandate from the PDP National Chairman to appear for the party, while Ajibade maintained that the PDP Constitution vested the power solely in the office of the National Legal Adviser. He further cited court judgments to support his position.
Apparently taken aback by the development, Justice Omotosho stood down the hearing for ten minutes, directing both Damagum and Ajibade to step outside the courtroom and “put their house in order.”
After the brief recess, both men returned and reported that they were unable to reach a resolution.
Consequently, Uche sought a short adjournment to allow the party’s leadership time to reconcile their differences.
Justice Omotosho subsequently joined Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants in the matter.
The first six defendants are: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); the PDP; Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary); Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary); the National Working Committee (NWC); and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
Also present in court was the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.
