The Supreme Court has pronounced Senator Samuel Anyanwu, as the authentic national secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, putting an end to a legal contest over the post.
In a judgement delivered on Friday, Appeal No: SC/CV/18/2025: Senator Samuel Anyanwu v. Aniagu Emmanuel, the apex court set aside an earlier appeal court decision that declared Anyanwu’s rival, Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the legitimate occupant of the office.
According to the lead judgement read by Justice Tukur Yammaman, the trial court in Enugu, which first removed Anyanwu, had no jurisdiction in the case, thereby making the judgement null and void.
They also concluded that the plaintiff, Aniagu Emmanuel, who filed the suit that led to Anyanwu’s removal, lacked the legal standing to initiate the action, noting that he failed to show how he was personally affected by Anyanwu’s tenure. The court ruled that Aniagu lacked the locus standi to institute the action at the Enugu State High Court, and was a ‘busybody and meddlesome interloper’. The suit was struck out for want of jurisidiction.
Speaking to newsmen after the judgement, Senator Anyanwu expressed his gratitude to the party faithful, his legal team and everyone who supported him in the fight.
He, however, dismissed the crisis as a conflict among family members which has now been laid to rest. “I’m here to continue my work as national secretary of the party, pending when the next commission will come in December 2025,” he said.
Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye have been locked in a fierce battle for the position, following the former’s participation in the Imo state Governorship election in 2023.
