The Supreme Court Friday affirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the authentic National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, overturning the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which earlier recognized Sunday Ude-Okoye for the position.

The verdict puts an end to months of legal battles over the party’s leadership.

The apex court ruled that the lower courts had no jurisdiction to entertain the case. The justices held that the dispute was an internal affair of the PDP and, therefore, beyond the reach of the courts. This decision reinforces the principle that political parties have the autonomy to manage their own leadership structures.

Anyanwu had vacated his role as National Secretary to contest the Imo State governorship election but returned to the position after losing the poll. His reinstatement was met with opposition, as some factions within the party insisted that he had forfeited the office by stepping aside.

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In his absence, the PDP’s South East zonal executive nominated Ude-Okoye as a replacement, sparking a legal battle over who rightfully held the position. The Court of Appeal upheld Ude-Okoye’s claim in December 2024, maintaining that Anyanwu could not reclaim the office.

Unwilling to accept the ruling, Anyanwu pursued the case to the Supreme Court, arguing that the lower courts had no legal authority to intervene in PDP’s internal affairs. The apex court agreed with his position and set aside the earlier judgments, effectively restoring him to the office of National Secretary.

This ruling is expected to have a significant impact on political party administration in Nigeria, as it underscores the judiciary’s reluctance to interfere in internal party matters. With the legal dispute settled, PDP leaders will now have to navigate the political implications of the court’s decision.

Crediblenews.ng.com