By Bosun Obafemi
In a significant legal development on Friday, the Supreme Court of Nigeria reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), overturning a prior decision by the Court of Appeal that had annulled his appointment.
The ruling, delivered unanimously by a five-member panel, emphasized that matters concerning the leadership and membership of a political party are internal affairs and should not fall under the jurisdiction of the courts. Justice Jamilu Tukur, who read the judgment, dismissed the October 2024 decision of the trial court and voided the Court of Appeal’s majority judgment, which had upheld Anyanwu’s removal in December 2024.
The Supreme Court also ruled that the plaintiff, Mr. Aniagu Emmanuel, who had initiated the legal challenge leading to Anyanwu’s ousting, lacked the legal standing to file the suit. According to the Court, Emmanuel failed to demonstrate how Anyanwu’s appointment as National Secretary had any direct impact on him.
This decision comes amidst internal disputes within the PDP, with party leadership, including the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, the Governors’ Forum, and the South East Zonal Executive Committee, each issuing statements declaring Udeh-Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary.
Last month, the PDP disciplinary committee, chaired by Tom Ikimi, recommended Senator Anyanwu’s expulsion from the party. This recommendation followed accusations from the PDP Young Generation caucus that Anyanwu had engaged in actions that undermined the party’s interests.
The committee claimed Anyanwu violated several provisions of the PDP Constitution, including Article 58 (1)(f), for failing to defend himself against the allegations, and Article 58 (1)(h) for actions that disrupted the party’s peaceful and efficient functioning.
