The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), overturning previous judgments by lower courts that had removed him from office. The ruling is expected to escalate tensions within the opposition party, already plagued by internal leadership disputes.
In a unanimous decision, a five-member panel of the apex court held that leadership matters within a political party are internal affairs and should not be decided by the courts. This ruling nullifies the earlier verdicts of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, which had recognized Chief Udeh-Okoye Enemchukwu as the PDP’s National Secretary.
The legal battle began when Aniagwu Emmanuel challenged Anyanwu’s position, leading to his removal by the lower courts. However, the Supreme Court found that Emmanuel lacked the legal standing to bring the case forward, as he failed to prove how Anyanwu’s tenure personally affected him.
The verdict has deepened the PDP’s internal crisis, with fears that it may lead to further factionalism and disrupt the party’s preparations for upcoming elections. Party leaders and stakeholders are yet to issue an official statement, leaving many wondering how the PDP will navigate the fresh wave of internal discord.
The ruling highlights the judiciary’s increasing role in resolving intra-party conflicts while raising questions about the party’s ability to maintain unity amid growing tensions.
