NWC Members Reject Appointment of Wike’s Ally, Musa, as PDP Legal Counsel 

Members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP have distanced themselves from the appointment of Wike’s loyalist, Musa, as the party’s legal counsel, creating internal rifts.

The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a major opposition group, appears to have worsened as 11 of the 17 National Working Committee (NWC) members have publicly opposed Acting National Chairman Amb. Iliya Damagum’s appointment of J.Y. Musa.

It has been reported that Musa, a lawyer who is thought to have strong connections with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was recently appointed as the legal representative for PDP at both the Appeal and Supreme Courts.

In a petition letter dated January 21, 2025 and recognized by the registries of both courts, eleven PDP NWC members requested that the courts dismiss Dr. J.Y. Musa’s nomination as legal counsel for the PDP in relation to the Stay of Execution and Appeal submitted by embattled National Secretary Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu.

According to their statement, Musa’s appointment as a party representative was not authorized. They explained that under Article 42 of the PDP constitution, only the National Legal Adviser has the authority to appoint an external solicitor for the party, rather than Damagum.

“We, therefore, call upon the Supreme Court to ignore any representation made by J.Y. Musa or anyone else appointed by the Acting National Chairman on behalf of the party in relation to any appeal or application arising from this referenced appeal,” stated the letter.