The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Damagum has received fresh legal advice asking the party to effect the endorsement of Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the party’s substantive National Secretary......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
The fresh legal advice, which was conveyed through a memo authored by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, was addressed to Damagum.
The memo, dated 7th February 2025, was in response to Damagum’s memo to Ajibade, dated 6th February 2025, seeking the Legal Adviser’s “review” of the endorsement of Udeh-Okoye by the PDP Governors Forum and the Board of Trustees (BoT).
Recall that the BoT, acting on the advice of one of its members, Dr Kabiru Turaki, SAN, had, a few days ago, endorsed Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary and had urged the acting chairman to effect the decision.
The BoT’s decision came a few days after the PDP Governors Forum adopted the same position after a meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
After studying court documents relating to their respective court cases and the judgments obtained by Anyanwu and Udeh-Okoye, the Legal Adviser agreed with the position of the BoT and the PDP Governors Forum.
The Legal Adviser’s memo to the Acting National Chairman stated in part, “In reaction to your memo dated February 6, 2025, and received on February 7, 2025, requesting me to study all the submissions from the committees set up the Governors’ Forum as well as that of the Board of Trustees, to come up with my legal opinion, I have duly studied the attached documents to wit;
“The legal opinion/advice signed by Dr Kabiru T. Turaki, SAN, dated February 3, 2025, addressed to the chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT)
“Communique issued at the end of the emergency meeting of the BoT of Wednesday, 5th February 2025
“The Enrolled Order of the Enugu Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/E/24/2024, between PDP & Anor v. Aniagu Emmanuel and 2 orbs.
“Judgment Order of the High Court of Enugu State in Suit No: E/882/2023; between Aniagu Emmanuel v. PDP & 3ors.
“Enrolled Order of the Abuja Judicial Division of the Court of Appeal in a post-judgment application, motion No: CA/E/01/2025 between PDP & Anor v. Aniagu Emmanuel & 2 Ors.
“Judgment of the High Court of Enugu State in Suit No: E/882/2023 between Aniagu Emmanuel v. PDP & 3 Ors.”
Continuing, the Legal Adviser further stated in his memo to Damagum, “It is, therefore, my advice that the contending parties, having willingly submitted themselves to the authority of the committee led by Dr Kabiru T. Turaki, SAN, should be honourable enough to abide by the outcome of the legal opinion/advice stemming from the proceeding they unreservedly consented to, most especially the said legal opinion/advice was signed by a well experienced Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and same adopted by the BoT, which is the conscience of the party. See Article 32(5)(a) to (I) of the constitution (amended in 2017) of our great party.
“Finally, I have nothing to add to the said legal opinion. It is hereby adopted as mine.”