Mubarak Shuaybu Shelleng
Eleven members of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, have publicly disassociated themselves from the appointment of J.Y. Musa by the acting national chairman, Iliya Damagum, as the party’s legal representative at the Appeal/Supreme Courts.
In a petition letter dated January 21, and acknowledged by the registry of the two courts, the party leaders asked the courts to disregard the nomination of Mr Musa as PDP’s legal counsel in the stay of execution and appeal filed by the embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
The legal practitioner is alleged to be an ally of the minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, who is instrumental to the crisis rocking the PDP.
Recall that an Enugu appeal court, on December 20, 2024, affirmed the ruling of a High court, which had removed Mr Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary.
The NWC members claimed that Mr Musa’s appointment was not authorized by the party’s hierarchy.
They noted that in-line with the party’s constitution in article 42, only the national legal adviser is authorised to appoint external solicitors for the party and not the job of national chairman.
The letter reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a letter of instruction signed by the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, purportedly on behalf of the Party, the National Working Committee, NWC, and the National Executive Committee, NEC, appointing Dr. J.Y. Musa SAN to represent the Party and all others at the Supreme Court in the appeal emanating from Appeal No. CA/E/23/2024-Sen. Samuel N. Anyanwu Vs Aniagu Emmanuel and 3 Ors.
“We respectfully urge you as the Presiding Justice and President Court of Appeal, and everyone concern to disregard the said letter
The National Working Committee,NWC, did not authorize the Acting National Chairman to issue the letter under reference for the Party, the National Working Committee or the National Executive Committee.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the responsibility of appointing external solicitors to handle cases on behalf of the party is that of the National Legal Adviser pursuant to Article 42 of the party’s constitution and not that of any other NWC member. The party had reiterated this position in a public notice issued sometime in 2022,a copy of which is hereby attached.
“We therefore urge the Court of Appeal to disregard the representation of Dr. J. Y. Musa or any other person appointed by the acting national chairman on behalf of the party in any appeal or application emanating from the appeal under reference”.
Those who signed the letter include, the deputy national chairman South Taofeek Arapaja, Kamaldeen Ajibade, national legal adviser, Yayari Ahmed, National treasurer, Setonji Ikoshoedo, deputy national secretary, Debo Ologunagba, national publicity secretary, Daniel Woyengikuro, national financial secretary, Amina Darasimi Bryhm, national women leader, Obi Okechukwu, national auditor,
Ali Odefa national vice chairman South East, Emanuel Bovoa, national vice chairman North East, Hayatu Gwarzo, national vice-chairman North West.
