The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of a suit seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its national convention until Thursday to allow parties to resolve a dispute over the party’s legal representation. Justice James Omotosho made the decision after a heated exchange between two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chris Uche and Kamaldeen Ajibade, who both claimed to represent the PDP. The case, filed by PDP officials from Imo, Abia, and the South-South zone, challenges the legality of the planned convention.
The plaintiffs, Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanna, and Turnah George, sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, and several of its national officers, including National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature. They sought court orders halting the planned convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, and preventing INEC from monitoring the event. They also asked that all meetings of the PDP’s key organs, such as the National Executive Committee and National Working Committee, be suspended pending the resolution of their suit.
According to the plaintiffs, they are registered members and current officeholders of the PDP who plan to contest positions at the convention but have been unfairly excluded through what they described as illegal actions. They argued that the proposed convention violates the PDP Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and relevant political party regulations by disregarding internal democratic processes. They claimed that despite their ongoing legal challenge, the defendants continued preparations, threatening their rights and interests within the party.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the main contention was over who was authorized to represent the PDP in court. Uche claimed he was briefed by the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum, while Ajibade maintained that as National Legal Adviser, only he had the constitutional authority to appoint external counsel. The disagreement led Justice Omotosho to briefly adjourn proceedings, urging both sides to reconcile, but they returned without resolution. Ajibade further alleged he was threatened outside the courtroom during the recess.
Given the impasse, Uche requested an adjournment to allow reconciliation, while the plaintiffs’ counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), pushed for the hearing to proceed. Justice Omotosho granted a short adjournment, warning against further delays and emphasizing that political disputes should not hinder judicial processes. The court also heard motions for joinder from PDP National Chairman Damagum, represented by Paul Erokoro (SAN), and from Chief Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi, represented by Audu Anuga (SAN), both seeking to be included as interested parties in the suit.
Plaintiffs’ counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), opposed the motions for joinder, arguing that the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and other party officers were not necessary parties to the case and that adding them would constitute an abuse of court process. However, after considering the arguments, Justice James Omotosho ruled otherwise, granting both applications and ordering that Damagum, Chief Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi be joined as the 7th, 8th, and 9th defendants.
The judge then adjourned the matter to Thursday, October 16, 2025, for the hearing of the substantive suit and all pending applications, directing all parties to file and respond to processes within 24 hours. He also stated that the court would await the resolution of the PDP’s internal dispute over legal representation before proceeding further.
