In a landmark decision on March 21, 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), overturning previous judgments by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal that had removed him from office.
The legal tussle began when Aniagu Emmanuel, a member of the PDP, challenged Anyanwu’s position as National Secretary, alleging procedural irregularities in his appointment. In October 2024, the Federal High Court ruled in favor of Emmanuel, leading to Anyanwu’s removal. This decision was subsequently upheld by a majority judgment in the Court of Appeal in December 2024.
The Supreme Court’s five-member panel, led by Justice Jamilu Tukur, held that issues pertaining to the leadership or membership of a political party are internal affairs and, as such, are not justiciable. The court emphasized that judicial intervention is unwarranted in matters that fall within the exclusive domain of a political party’s internal mechanisms.
Furthermore, the apex court determined that the plaintiff, Aniagu Emmanuel, lacked the necessary legal standing to initiate the suit. The court noted that Emmanuel failed to demonstrate how Anyanwu’s position as National Secretary adversely affected him personally, rendering his challenge untenable.
This ruling effectively reinstates Anyanwu as the PDP’s National Secretary, reinforcing the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal affairs without external interference. The decision is expected to restore stability within the party’s national leadership and may influence how internal disputes are addressed in the future.
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