In a significant legal victory, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has ruled in favor of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, affirming him as the rightful National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The ruling overturns an earlier decision by the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which had ruled against Anyanwu, an ally of FCT minister, Nyesome Wike in a case that had divided party members and stakeholders.
The legal battle over the PDP National Secretary position began following internal disagreements within the party.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a former lawmaker and prominent PDP figure, had relinquished his position having emerged as the party’s candidate to contest in the governorship election that held in Imo State last year.
In his absence, Chief Udeh-Okoye Enemchukwu was elected to fill the position as the authentic national scribe of the party.
Having lost out in the Imo State governorship election, Sen Anyanwu returned to claim the position of national secretary of the PDP, a move that was opposed by members, sparking crisis and subsequent court suits.
A lawsuit was filed against Anyanwu, leading to an initial ruling from the Enugu High Court, which nullified his position. The Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld the decision, creating uncertainty about his future within the party’s leadership.
However, Anyanwu maintained that the case was a purely internal matter of the PDP and that the courts had overstepped their jurisdiction by interfering in party affairs.
The Supreme Court, in its ruling, agreed with Anyanwu’s argument, stating that both the Court of Appeal and the trial court in Enugu lacked the jurisdiction to decide on an issue that falls exclusively within the internal administration of a political party.
The court emphasized that party leadership disputes should be resolved within the party’s structure, not in the courts.
The judgment reaffirms the principle that courts should not interfere in the internal affairs of political parties, except in cases involving clear violations of the Nigerian Constitution or other legal statutes.
Reacting to the ruling, Senator Anyanwu expressed relief and gratitude, describing the judgment as a victory for democracy and due process.
“This decision by the Supreme Court is a confirmation that justice has prevailed. It is not just about me, but about the independence of political parties and their right to manage their own affairs without external interference,” he stated.
He also called on all PDP members to unite and work towards strengthening the party ahead of future elections.
