In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has declared that no court holds the power to determine who occupies leadership positions in a political party, effectively handing the decision back to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The apex court overturned previous rulings by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had sacked Senator Samuel Anyanwu as PDP’s National Secretary. However, the court also refused Anyanwu’s request to be reinstated.
A five-member panel, in a unanimous decision, emphasized that the selection of party officers is an internal matter and beyond judicial intervention. Justice Jamilu Tukur, delivering the lead judgment, struck out the trial court’s ruling from October 2024 and set aside the majority decision of the Court of Appeal, which upheld Anyanwu’s removal in December 2024.
Instead, the Supreme Court endorsed the minority judgment of Justice Ekanem, who had ruled that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. The court further held that the original plaintiff, Aniagu Emmanuel, had no legal standing to challenge Anyanwu’s position, as he failed to demonstrate how he was personally affected by the matter.
Anyanwu’s Legal Battle Ends in Defeat
Anyanwu had resigned from his role as PDP’s National Secretary to contest the 2023 Imo State governorship election, which he lost. After his defeat, he sought to reclaim his previous position but was met with opposition from PDP leadership.
He petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the rulings of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal, arguing that he should be allowed to return to office. However, Aniagu Emmanuel’s legal counsel, Chief Paul Erokoro (SAN), countered that Anyanwu’s request violated PDP’s constitution, which prohibits a resigned officer from reclaiming the same position.
Although PDP and its Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Illiya Damagun, did not take a stance on the case, the fourth respondent, Ali Odeifa, opposed Anyanwu’s reinstatement. His lawyer, Okwudili Anozie, urged the court to dismiss the case, calling it baseless and lacking merit.
During proceedings, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim questioned whether the Supreme Court had jurisdiction over PDP’s leadership disputes. Erokoro referenced the court’s past involvement in a similar case concerning former PDP National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, where it took jurisdiction and settled the matter.
With this ruling, the Supreme Court has put the responsibility squarely on PDP to resolve its internal leadership crisis. The decision leaves the fate of the party’s National Secretary position in the hands of its members, reinforcing the principle that political parties must govern their own affairs without judicial interference.
