On Senator Samuel Anyawu’s case, Justice Jamilu Tukur ruled that the courts lacked jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of a political party
The Supreme Court on Friday reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), overturning earlier rulings that had affirmed Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s scribe.
In a unanimous decision, a five-member panel of the apex court nullified the judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which had recognized Ude-Okoye as the rightful occupant of the position.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur ruled that the courts lacked jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of a political party. He further held that the plaintiff, Aniagu Emmanuel, who initiated the suit that led to Anyanwu’s removal, lacked the locus standi to file the case.
The ruling brings an end to the prolonged leadership dispute between Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye, both of whom had laid claim to the position of PDP National Secretary.
Following a December 20, 2024, judgment by the Court of Appeal in Enugu, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) had, on February 12, recognized Ude-Okoye as the party’s substantive National Secretary.
However, dissatisfied with the lower court rulings, Anyanwu proceeded to the Supreme Court, which has now set aside the decisions, reinstating him as the rightful occupant of the office.