By: Bayero Ade
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed strong opposition to the appointment of Dr. J.Y. Musa as the party’s legal counsel for the Appeal and Supreme Courts.
According to Afripost, in a petition dated January 21, 2025, 11 out of the 17 NWC members rejected the appointment, calling it unconstitutional. The petition, which has been acknowledged by the registries of both courts, urged the judiciary to disregard Dr. Musa’s nomination.
The dissenting members argued that according to Article 42 of the PDP constitution, only the National Legal Adviser has the authority to appoint external legal representatives, a duty not to be assumed by the National Chairman. They contended that Dr. Musa’s appointment violated this constitutional provision.
This dispute is linked to a legal case involving Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, who was ousted as the PDP National Secretary by a court ruling. An Enugu High Court had invalidated Anyanwu’s position, and the Court of Appeal upheld this decision on December 20, 2024. Despite these rulings, Anyanwu has appealed to the Supreme Court, refusing to vacate the role.
The NWC members also raised concerns about Dr. Musa’s alleged ties to Minister Nyesom Wike, suggesting that his appointment could potentially harm the party’s credibility. Nonetheless, in a letter to the courts, Acting National Chairman Amb. Iliya Damagum directed Dr. Musa to represent the PDP in the ongoing Supreme Court case.
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