The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in a high-stakes legal battle as Senator Samuel Anyanwu makes a last-ditch effort to reclaim his position as the National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The dramatic courtroom showdown in Abuja on Monday saw legal heavyweights locking horns over Anyanwu’s controversial removal, setting the stage for a ruling that could shake the PDP’s leadership structure.
Justice Musa Awani Aba-Aji, leading a five-member panel, confirmed that the court would announce its judgment date in due time after hearing arguments from Anyanwu’s lawyer, Kingsley Njemanze, and Paul Erokoro, representing Aniagu Emmanuel. The case has gripped political watchers, as its outcome could have far-reaching implications for the opposition party’s internal dynamics.
Anyanwu was ousted from his role following his decision to resign and contest the 2023 Imo governorship election, which ended in defeat. Now, he insists he should be reinstated, arguing that his unsuccessful gubernatorial bid does not disqualify him from returning to his former office. His legal team urged the Supreme Court to overturn the rulings of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Enugu, both of which had ruled against him.
But the opposition camp fiercely rejected his plea. Paul Erokoro, counsel for Aniagu Emmanuel, countered that Anyanwu’s request defies the PDP constitution. He argued that once an official resigns to pursue another political ambition, they cannot simply reclaim their previous position. Meanwhile, the 4th respondent, Ali Odeifa, also opposed Anyanwu’s bid, branding the appeal as “frivolous, baseless, and lacking merit.”
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In a twist, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim questioned whether the Supreme Court even has jurisdiction over the PDP leadership dispute. Erokoro pointed to a past ruling involving former PDP National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, where the apex court had assumed jurisdiction and settled the matter against Sheriff. This raises speculation on how the court will approach Anyanwu’s case.
Adding to the courtroom drama, the Supreme Court earlier dismissed Anyanwu’s separate plea to halt the execution of the lower court rulings that removed him as National Secretary. In a sudden about-face, his legal team withdrew the request, prompting Justice Aba-Aji to strike it out.
The battle over PDP’s National Secretary position dates back to December 2023, when the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld the Federal High Court’s ruling that sacked Anyanwu, recognizing Sunday Ude-Okoye as the legitimate officeholder. The appellate court, in a scathing verdict, ruled that Anyanwu’s appeal was “incompetent and lacking in merit,” emphasizing that he violated the PDP’s constitution by attempting to reclaim a post he had willingly vacated.
Now, the ball is in the Supreme Court’s court. With tension mounting, political observers and party stakeholders eagerly await the final verdict. Will Anyanwu be reinstated, or will the apex court cement his removal once and for all? The judgment, when delivered, could redefine the future of PDP’s internal leadership and shape the opposition’s trajectory ahead of future elections.
