In a dramatic turn of events, the Supreme Court has dismissed Samuel Anyanwu’s attempt to halt the execution of a judgment that removed him as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The decision marks another setback for Anyanwu, who has been fighting to reclaim his position after being sacked by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. Here’s everything you need to know about this high-stakes political drama.
The Courtroom Drama: Anyanwu Backs Down
On Monday, March 10, 2025, the Supreme Court threw out Anyanwu’s request to stay the execution of the lower courts’ judgments. In a surprising move, Anyanwu’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kingsley Njemanze, withdrew the application. Justice Musa Awani Aba-Aji, who presided over the five-man panel, promptly dismissed the request.
This development comes after the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld a Federal High Court ruling that removed Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary. The appellate court had declared Chief Sunday Ude-Okoye as the rightful holder of the position, citing Anyanwu’s violation of the PDP constitution. According to the court, Anyanwu’s decision to contest and win the PDP governorship ticket in Imo State while holding the office of National Secretary was a breach of party rules.
Why Anyanwu Lost His Position
The crux of the matter lies in the PDP’s constitution, which prohibits a party member from holding dual positions. Anyanwu’s decision to run for governor while serving as National Secretary was deemed a violation of this rule. The Court of Appeal, in its December 2024 judgment, described Anyanwu’s appeal as “incompetent and lacking in merit,” effectively sealing his fate.
Despite this, Anyanwu approached the Supreme Court in February 2025, seeking to overturn the lower courts’ decisions. He argued that the office of National Secretary was crucial to the party’s operations and requested an accelerated hearing. However, his sudden withdrawal of the stay application suggests a strategic retreat, possibly to focus on the substantive appeal still pending before the Supreme Court.
What’s Next for Anyanwu and the PDP?
With the Supreme Court dismissing Anyanwu’s stay request, Chief Sunday Ude-Okoye remains the recognized National Secretary of the PDP. However, the battle is far from over. The substantive appeal, which seeks to set aside the judgments of the lower courts, is still ongoing. The five-man panel led by Justice Aba-Aji is expected to deliver a final verdict in the coming weeks.
For the PDP, this case highlights the internal challenges facing the party as it prepares for future elections. The outcome could have significant implications for party discipline and the enforcement of its constitution. Will the Supreme Court uphold the lower courts’ decisions, or will Anyanwu manage to stage a comeback? The political world is watching closely.
Key Takeaways
The Supreme Court dismissed Samuel Anyanwu’s request to stay the execution of judgments that removed him as PDP National Secretary.
Anyanwu’s legal team withdrew the application, leading to its dismissal by Justice Musa Awani Aba-Aji.
The Court of Appeal had earlier upheld a Federal High Court ruling, citing Anyanwu’s violation of the PDP constitution by holding dual positions.
Chief Sunday Ude-Okoye remains the recognized National Secretary of the PDP, pending the outcome of Anyanwu’s substantive appeal.
The case underscores the importance of party discipline and adherence to constitutional rules.