The Supreme Court has ruled that Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the legitimate National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), overturning his removal by lower courts.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Friday, the apex court ruled that both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Enugu exceeded their authority by interfering in the internal affairs of a political party.
Justice Jamilu Tukur, who led the Supreme Court panel, stated that issues related to a party’s internal matters fall outside the jurisdiction of the lower courts. Consequently, the Supreme Court upheld a minority judgment from the appellate court, which had dismissed the case against Anyanwu on jurisdictional grounds.
The court further ruled that Aniagu Emmanuel, who initiated the case that led to Anyanwu’s removal, lacked the legal standing to file the lawsuit. It held that Emmanuel failed to prove how Anyanwu’s position as National Secretary personally affected him.
Earlier, the Court of Appeal had upheld a High Court ruling that removed Anyanwu from office and recognized Chief Udeh-Okoye Enemchukwu as the rightful National Secretary. The appellate court had argued that Anyanwu violated the PDP’s constitution by retaining his position after contesting the Imo State governorship election.
Dissatisfied with the rulings, Anyanwu took his case to the Supreme Court, which ultimately reinstated him to his position as PDP National Secretary.
