Drama In Court As Two Lawyers Battle For Right To Represent PDP In Heated Legal Clash

According to Ireporter Online, mild drama erupted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday when two Senior Advocates of Nigeria separately announced appearances on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the same case, leading to confusion over the party’s legal representation.

The suit, filed before Justice Salim Ibrahim by the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, is against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The plaintiffs are seeking a court order compelling INEC to formally recognise the party’s interim National Working Committee (NWC) headed by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and to reflect the leadership change on its official records and website.

Court documents indicate that the PDP and its BoT members are also urging the electoral body to update its official register in line with the interim leadership allegedly submitted following a National Executive Committee (NEC) resolution. The list of plaintiffs includes prominent party figures such as Adolphus Wabara, former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Prof. Jerry Gana, and Chief Olabode George, alongside former Ministers Maryam Ciroma and Zainab Maina, with the PDP listed as the eighth plaintiff and INEC as the sole defendant.

However, proceedings took a dramatic turn when Gordy Uche (SAN) announced his appearance for all the plaintiffs, including the PDP, shortly before Sunday Ameh (SAN) also stood up to declare representation for the PDP alone. The conflicting announcements sparked tension in the courtroom as uncertainty arose over who had the rightful mandate to speak for the party.

The development briefly disrupted proceedings before Justice Ibrahim adjourned the matter to June 30, 2025, for a ruling on the issue of proper legal representation and party standing in the suit.