PDP National Secretary Suit: Court Dismisses Anyanwu’s Claim

Samuel Anyanwu, the former factional National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), filed a lawsuit demanding court recognition as the party’s substantive scribe, but it was denied by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to reports, Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed the case after pointing out that Anyanwu’s term as national secretary ended in December 2025, so events had taken precedence over the lawsuit.

In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025, Anyanwu filed a complaint with the court, identifying the Independent National Electoral Commission and Umar Damagun, a former acting National Chairman of the PDP, as the first and second defendants.

Through his attorney, Ken Njemanze, Anyanwu filed an ex parte action on February 13, 2025, requesting an interim injunction prohibiting INEC from receiving or acting upon any PDP letter that was not signed by him. Additionally, he requested that the court prevent Damagun from sending any party letter to INEC without his countersignature.

The People’s Democratic Party and Sunday Udeh-Okoye were added to the list of defendants on February 28, 2025. As fifth and sixth defendants, the party’s South-East Vice Chairman, Dr. Ali Odela, and Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, were also added.

U. C. Njemanze-Aku, Anyanwu’s attorney, told the court that his client’s tenure had ended when the subject came up.

He stated, “In the interest of justice, I apply to withdraw this matter to save the time of the court,” adding that it would be inappropriate to continue with a case that has already been overrun by circumstances.

Akintayo Balogun, INEC’s attorney, requested that the lawsuit be dismissed at a cost of ₦1 million, arguing that it should never have been brought in the first place. Other defense attorneys supported the expense request.

Njemanze-Aku, however, objected, claiming that the withdrawal was the result of uncontrollable circumstances.

“We chose to withdraw the case in order to fulfill our obligation to the court and prevent wasting its time. He stated that it is unfair to penalize the plaintiff and urged the court to let the parties pay their own expenses.

Following the hearing of the arguments, Justice Umar dismissed the case without imposing any fees.

“I’m going to reject this complaint since you have joined issues. The judge decided to dismiss the case.

“The delay is not on any of the parties,” he continued, referring to expenses. That’s what happened. Because of this, I grant no expense.

Anyanwu’s resignation from the PDP national secretary post to run for governor of Imo in 2023, which he lost, sparked a leadership struggle. Internal party strife resulted from his attempt to retake the post, with Udeh-Okoye emerging as a competitor.

On December 20, 2024, the Federal High Court’s decision to dismiss Anyanwu and confirm Udeh-Okoye as secretary was sustained by the Enugu Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court heard Anyanwu’s appeal and reversed the rulings of the lower courts in March 2025.

Anyanwu filed a new lawsuit in Abuja to have his position enforced since PDP groups persisted in claiming power despite the verdict of the highest court. The dismissal on Tuesday has now put an end to that legal dispute.