The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a suit filed by Samuel Anyanwu seeking recognition as the national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice Mohammed Umar delivered the ruling following a submission by Anyanwu’s lawyer, U. C. Njemanze‑Aku, that his client’s tenure as national secretary had expired in December 2025.
Anyanwu had in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025, requested the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP chairman at the time, Umar Damagum, from acknowledging or acting on any correspondence from the party not signed by him.
However, Njemanze‑Aku told the court: “In the interest of justice, I apply to withdraw this matter to save the time of the court,” noting that the issue had been overtaken by events.
Counsel to INEC, Akintayo Balogun, said the case should not have been filed, urging the court to dismiss it with N1 million costs. Damagum’s lawyer, M. O. Akpan, adopted the submission.
The court dismissed the suit without awarding any cost.
“Since you have joined issues, I am going to dismiss this matter. The matter is hereby dismissed,” Justice Umar ruled.
The PDP national secretary position has been at the centre of a factional tussle, with Anyanwu, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, and Setonji Koshoedo all claiming the office.
The crisis escalated in December when a faction of the party, backed by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, dissolved the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and established a caretaker panel. Abdulrahman Mohammed was appointed chairman, with Anyanwu as secretary.
In a separate move, the faction led by PDP governors, including Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Seyi Makinde of Oyo, held a convention in November, electing Kabiru Turaki as chairman and expelling Wike and his allies, including Anyanwu.
The Wike group rejected the expulsions and formed a parallel NWC, Board of Trustees, and National Executive Council, leading to a prolonged power struggle.
The court’s ruling effectively ends Anyanwu’s legal attempt to assert his authority as PDP national secretary, but the party’s internal rifts remain unresolved.
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