The Supreme Court of Nigeria has declared Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) effectively ending a protracted leadership tussle with Sunday Ude-Okoye. The crisis had fractured party ranks, with Ude-Okoye enjoying support from various PDP camps following a Court of Appeal verdict in Enugu that upheld Anyanwu’s removal by a Federal High Court.
Delivering the unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Jamilu Tukur ruled that issues regarding party leadership and membership are internal matters and outside the jurisdiction of the courts. The Court stressed
that only in exceptional circumstances — where the Nigerian Constitution provides jurisdiction, a crime is committed or contractual rights are violated — can the judiciary intervene.
The conflict arose after Anyanwu resigned from the secretary position to contest the Imo State governorship election, which he lost. His attempt to reclaim the office sparked legal battles culminating in the Supreme Court ruling. Anyanwu’s appeal and request for a stay of execution have now been vindicated by the apex court —restoring his position and resolving the leadership dispute within the PDP.
