The Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified the judgments of both the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, which previously removed Senator Samuel Anyanwu from his position as National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The ruling marks a significant legal victory for Anyanwu and reaffirms the principle that internal party affairs are not justiciable in a court of law.
Apex Court’s Verdict
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, ruled that the matter of who holds the position of National Secretary within the PDP is strictly an internal party affair.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur struck out the initial ruling made by the Federal High Court in October 2024, which had removed Anyanwu from his position.
The Supreme Court also overturned the majority decision of the Court of Appeal, which in December 2024 had upheld Anyanwu’s removal. Instead, the apex court affirmed the minority judgment of Justice Ekanem of the appellate court, who had previously nullified the Federal High Court’s ruling due to a lack of jurisdiction over the matter.
Legal Basis for Reversal
The Supreme Court emphasized that the plaintiff in the case, Aniagu Emmanuel, lacked the necessary legal standing to challenge Anyanwu’s position. According to the judgment, Emmanuel failed to establish how he was personally affected by Anyanwu’s tenure as PDP National Secretary. As a result, the case was deemed inadmissible from the outset.
Justice Tukur underscored that courts should refrain from intervening in matters that are fundamentally within the jurisdiction of political parties. This principle is well-established in Nigerian jurisprudence, where courts have historically maintained that internal party leadership disputes are not within their purview unless constitutional violations or breaches of legal statutes are clearly demonstrated.
Background of the Case
The legal dispute began in 2024 when a suit was filed by Aniagu Emmanuel at the Federal High Court challenging the legitimacy of Anyanwu’s position as National Secretary. The court ruled in favor of Emmanuel, leading to Anyanwu’s removal in October 2024. The PDP leadership crisis deepened when the Court of Appeal upheld the removal in December 2024 through a majority judgment.
However, Justice Ekanem of the appellate court had dissented from the majority decision, stating that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to rule on a purely party-related matter. The Supreme Court’s ruling has now vindicated this minority judgment, affirming that only party mechanisms, and not the judiciary, should resolve internal leadership disputes.
Implications of the Ruling
The Supreme Court’s decision sets a strong legal precedent for future political party disputes in Nigeria. By reaffirming that courts should not interfere in party administration unless fundamental legal issues are at stake, the ruling strengthens the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal affairs.
For the PDP, the judgment restores stability within its leadership structure ahead of upcoming political activities, including preparations for the 2027 general elections. Anyanwu’s reinstatement as National Secretary allows the party to proceed with its organizational strategies without further legal encumbrances.
Additionally, the verdict serves as a cautionary tale for litigants seeking to challenge party decisions through the judiciary without substantial legal grounds. It reinforces the importance of party constitutions and internal mechanisms for resolving leadership disputes rather than relying on court interventions.
Reactions to the Judgment
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Senator Samuel Anyanwu expressed gratitude to the judiciary for upholding justice and reaffirming his mandate as PDP National Secretary.
In a statement, he described the ruling as a victory not just for himself but for the rule of law and democratic principles.
“This verdict has strengthened democracy in Nigeria by ensuring that political parties retain their right to self-governance. I remain committed to serving the PDP faithfully and contributing to the party’s growth,” Anyanwu said.
The PDP also welcomed the ruling, describing it as a validation of its internal democratic processes. A spokesperson for the party stated that the judgment had reaffirmed the principle of non-interference in party matters and allowed the PDP to focus on its mission to provide credible opposition and governance alternatives.
Legal experts have also weighed in on the judgment, noting that it is consistent with previous Supreme Court decisions on similar matters.
According to constitutional lawyer Barrister Mike Ozekhome, the ruling reinforces the doctrine of non-justiciability of internal party affairs, a doctrine that has been a cornerstone of Nigerian legal practice in political matters.
Conversely, some opposition figures have criticized the judgment, arguing that it limits judicial oversight over political processes that may be prone to abuse.
However, the general consensus within legal and political circles is that the Supreme Court’s decision aligns with established precedents.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Senator Samuel Anyanwu marks the end of a prolonged legal battle over the PDP National Secretary position.
By nullifying the earlier judgments of the lower courts, the apex court has reaffirmed the legal principle that political parties should resolve their internal matters without judicial interference.
This decision is expected to have lasting implications on the Nigerian political landscape, particularly in strengthening party autonomy and discouraging frivolous litigation on internal party issues.
As the PDP moves forward with its preparations for future elections, the reinstatement of Anyanwu as National Secretary provides a crucial step towards organizational stability and party unity.
