Meanwhile, as the controversy rages over the authentic representation of the PDP in the suit challenging the party’s forthcoming national convention, a court document has shown that the NWC of the party had approved the appointment of Chris Uche, as lawyer for the PDP in the said suit.
The issue of the authentic representative of the PDP had remained at the center of the suit filed by Hon Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Hon Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman) and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
At the last sitting, Justice James Omotosho had held that the two counsel laying claim to the position should file their papers for him to determine the proper legal representation for PDP.
National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, had announced his appearance for the PDP, claiming that as Legal Adviser of the PDP he is the rightful person to handle the issue of representation. However, Uche, who also announced his appearance for the PDP in the suit, stated that he was appointed by the party’s chairman to represent the party in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.
But, a letter dated October 13, 2025, and addressed to the Deputy Registrar, Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja, revealed that Uche’s appointment was a unanimous decision by members of the PDP NWC.
A Certified True Copy (CTC) of the letter sighted by our correspondent read: “We the undersigned, being the elected members of the NWC of the PDP, which organ of the party, by virtue of Section 29 of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), is vested with the responsibility to administer the affairs of the Party hereby affirm and confirm that the Letter of Instructions dated October 10, 2025 and signed by the National Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum appointing Chief Chris Uche SAN as external solicitor to represent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the above-mentioned Suit is the unanimous resolution and decision of the NWC with regard to the pending Suit before the Honorable Justice Kolawole Omotosho.
“For clarity, Section 29 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), further empowers the NWC to act on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) an Organ of the Party which decisions by virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) are binding on “all Organs and members of the Party.
“The appointment of the external solicitors by the National Chairman on behalf of Party is sequel to the resolution of the NWC at its 607th meeting on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 wherein the NWC considered the conduct of the National Legal Adviser of the Party, A.K Ajibade SAN and his continuing compromising position in his handling of cases relating to the Party.”
Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja, had on Thursday, reaffirmed his order directing all parties in the suit to refrain from taking any action that could jeopardise the outcome of the case already before his court.
The judge stated that the court would not hesitate to take action against any party that resorts to self-help pending the determination of the case.
Meanwhile, the judge has fixed Monday, October 20, for definite hearing of the originating summons in respect of the suit instituted against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and eight others by three aggrieved members of the party.
Justice Omotosho fixed the date following confirmation that virtually all processes for and against the suit have been filed.
The judge ordered that the filed processes must be exchanged by all parties latest October 17, so as to pave way for definite hearing of the suit.
The three plaintiffs who instituted the case are Hon Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Hon Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman) and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
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