Proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday were briefly disrupted after two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) separately claimed to represent the Peoples Democratic Party in a suit filed by the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The case, before Justice Salim Ibrahim, seeks an order compelling INEC to recognise the PDP’s interim National Working Committee (NWC), headed by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, and update the commission’s official records accordingly.
The suit was jointly instituted by the PDP and members of its Board of Trustees, who argued that the interim NWC was approved by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and formally communicated to INEC through letters dated May 4.
Among the plaintiffs are former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, former Information Minister Jerry Gana, PDP chieftain Olabode George, former Ministers of Women Affairs Maryam Ciroma and Zainab Maina, as well as BoT and NEC member Esther Uduehi.
Tension arose during proceedings when Senior Advocate Gordy Uche announced his appearance for all eight plaintiffs, including the PDP.
Moments later, another Senior Advocate, Sunday Ameh, also announced his appearance on behalf of the PDP, creating uncertainty over who was officially authorised to represent the party.
The conflicting appearances caused confusion in the courtroom and briefly interrupted proceedings.
Following arguments by counsel, Justice Ibrahim adjourned the matter until June 30 to deliver a ruling on the issue of the proper legal representation of the parties in the suit.