The internal turmoil rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a public twist on Tuesday when the party’s National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), clashed openly before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The heated exchange unfolded during proceedings on a suit filed by three PDP members seeking to stop the party’s planned national convention, scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Damagum, who was physically present in court, had engaged Chief Chris Uche (SAN) to appear for the party. However, Ajibade objected, arguing that under the PDP Constitution, only the Legal Adviser’s office has the authority to appoint counsel on behalf of the party.
Their disagreement disrupted proceedings, prompting Justice James Omotosho to suspend the session for ten minutes to allow both officials to reconcile privately. When the court reconvened, the two failed to reach a resolution, leading the judge to adjourn the case until Thursday, October 16.
In a related development, the court granted applications to join Ambassador Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants, respectively. Justice Omotosho ruled that their inclusion was necessary since their roles in the PDP’s leadership structure would be directly impacted by the court’s final decision.
The suit was instituted by Imo PDP Chairman, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu; Abia PDP Chairman, Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna; and PDP South-South Secretary, Turnah Alabh George. The trio are asking the court to restrain the party from conducting the planned convention to elect new national officers.
Other defendants in the case include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, and key national officers such as National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature.
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