The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, declaring him the legitimate National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The apex court set aside the December 20, 2024, judgment of the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which had upheld the High Court’s decision removing Anyanwu and recognizing Sunday Udey-Okoye as his replacement.
Dissatisfied with the appellate court’s ruling, Anyanwu took the matter to the Supreme Court, arguing that both the Court of Appeal and the Enugu High Court lacked jurisdiction to decide on an issue concerning the internal affairs of the PDP.
He maintained that party leadership and membership matters are non-justiciable and should not be determined by any court.
Anyanwu also faulted the lower court for failing to consider whether the plaintiff had exhausted PDP’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before filing the suit. Additionally, he questioned the decision to grant the plaintiff locus standi to challenge his position, insisting that such matters are fundamental to a court’s jurisdiction.
Furthermore, Anyanwu challenged the interpretation of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 by the lower courts, asserting that he neither resigned nor was removed from office as National Secretary.
He argued that the PDP constitution clearly outlines procedures for vacating executive positions, and there was no legal basis for the courts’ conclusion that he had left office. He emphasized that Article 47 of the PDP constitution provides for a single four-year term for party officers, reinforcing his claim that his removal was unlawful.
It can be recalled that Udey-Okoye had received the backing of the PDP’s National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and Governors’ Forum.
