The Supreme Court of Nigeria has deferred its ruling on an appeal by Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is fighting to reclaim his position after being ousted. Anyanwu is challenging a Court of Appeal decision from Enugu that upheld a Federal High Court verdict on December 20, 2024, removing him as PDP National Secretary and installing Sunday Udey-Okoye in his place.
In a detailed 10-ground appeal, Anyanwu’s counsel argued that the lower courts overstepped by intervening in what he insists is an internal party matter, beyond judicial reach. He asserted that leadership and membership disputes within a political party are non-justiciable, criticizing the courts for not confirming whether internal PDP conflict resolution steps were exhausted first. Anyanwu also contested the ruling that the plaintiff had standing to sue and disputed the application of the Electoral Act 2022, claiming he neither resigned nor was formally removed. He pointed to the PDP constitution’s four-year term for executives, arguing the courts lacked grounds to declare his office vacant.
The hearing saw Anyanwu’s counsel urge the Supreme Court to reverse the lower courts’ decisions, citing consistent precedents that party disputes are off-limits to judicial oversight. Opposing counsel, however, argued Anyanwu’s bid violated PDP rules, noting his resignation to contest the Imo governorship election should bar his return. They pressed the court to rethink its stance on party matters, referencing past cases, while the justices probed whether courts can dictate party officeholders.
Most respondents pushed for dismissal, though the PDP and its acting chairman stayed silent, filing no documents. The five-member panel, led by Justice Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, reserved judgment after arguments, promising to notify parties of the ruling date. Earlier, the court struck out Anyanwu’s bid to halt the lower courts’ decisions after he withdrew the motion, unopposed.
Social media buzz reflects a split—some see Anyanwu’s fight as a stand against party overreach, others view it as a lost cause, with optimism and skepticism swirling around the PDP’s internal drama. The outcome could reshape the party’s leadership landscape as tensions simmer.
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