The Supreme Court on Monday, reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Anyanwu, challenging his removal from office
In his appeal, Anyanwu sought to set aside, the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Enugu, which upheld the federal high court’s decision removing him as the party’s national secretary.
In a 10-ground appeal filed through his counsel, Ken Njemanze (SAN), Anyanwu prayed the apex court to allow the appeal, and overturn the lower court’s decision.
Listed as respondents in the appeal, marked SC/CV/82/2025, are Aniagu Emmanuel, the PDP, Iliya Damagun (PDP national chairman), and High Chief Ali Odefa (national vice chairman, South East zone), as the first to fourth respondents, respectively.
Anyanwu challenged the Court of Appeal’s decision, delivered on December 20, 2024, which affirmed the high court’s judgment, removing him as PDP national secretary, and recognising Sunday Udey-Okoye, as his replacement.
Dissatisfied with the majority ruling of the appellate court, Anyanwu approached the Supreme Court to set aside the judgment.
He argued that the Court of Appeal erred in law, by upholding the trial court’s jurisdiction over a matter concerning the internal affairs of the PDP.
Anyanwu contended that issues related to party leadership, and membership are non-justiciable, and fall outside any court’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, he criticised the lower court for failing to rule on whether the plaintiff had complied with the mandatory internal dispute resolution mechanisms stipulated in the PDP constitution before filing the suit.
He also faulted the court’s decision to grant the plaintiff locus standi to institute the case, arguing that such issues are fundamental to the court’s jurisdiction over the matter.
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Furthermore, Anyanwu challenged the lower court’s interpretation of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022, asserting that he neither resigned nor was removed from his position as national secretary.
He emphasised that the PDP constitution, outlines specific procedures for vacating executive offices, including removal or resignation.
Also, he argued that Article 47 of the PDP constitution, provides for a four-year single term for party officers, and there was no legal basis for the lower courts’ concurrent findings that he had vacated his office.
At the resumed hearing of the appeal, all parties in the suit adopted their processes, except for the PDP, and Damagun, who did not file any processes.
The respondents unanimously urged the court to dismiss the appeal.
The five-member panel of the Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, reserved judgment. “Judgment is reserved to a date that will be communicated to the parties,” Justice Abba-Aji ruled.
