Supreme Court Declares Anyanwu Authentic PDP National Secretary, Gives Reasons

The Supreme Court has declared Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reversing previous rulings by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal that had sacked him from the position.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Friday by a five-member panel, the apex court ruled that the matter of who holds the position of National Secretary in the PDP is an internal party affair and therefore not subject to judicial intervention. Justice Jamilu Tukur, who delivered the lead judgment, emphasized that such internal disputes within political parties fall outside the jurisdiction of the courts.

The court struck out the October 2023 judgment of the trial court and overturned the majority ruling of the Court of Appeal, which had in December upheld Anyanwu’s removal. Instead, it sided with the minority opinion from the appellate court, delivered by Justice Ekanem, which had nullified the lower court’s decision due to lack of jurisdiction.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court held that Aniagu Emmanuel, the individual who initiated the original suit challenging Anyanwu’s position, lacked the legal standing to do so, as he failed to demonstrate any personal interest or harm suffered as a result of Anyanwu holding the office.

With this ruling, Senator Anyanwu’s position as the PDP’s National Secretary stands legally affirmed.