The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a fresh twist as the party itself and Mr. Sunday Udeh-Okoye, on Monday, sought to be joined in a lawsuit filed by its embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Anyanwu, who is fighting to retain his position amid internal party wrangling, had sued INEC and the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja. His lawsuit, filed on February 19, challenges alleged plans to remove him as the party’s national secretary.
Justice Ekwo had previously refused to grant Anyanwu’s ex parte request for immediate relief, instead ordering the defendants to appear in court and explain why his prayers should not be granted. The case was then adjourned to February 24.
When the court reconvened on Monday, Anyanwu’s lawyer, Ken Njemanze (SAN), reminded the court that the session was for the defendants to state their case. While INEC was represented by Ahmed Mohammed, no legal representative appeared for Damagun.
Adding to the drama, senior lawyers Paul Erokoro (SAN) and Paul-Harris Ogbole (SAN) announced their appearances for new parties seeking to join the suit. Erokoro represented Udeh-Okoye, who claims to be the legitimate national secretary of the party, while Ogbole spoke on behalf of the PDP.
With this latest development, the battle for control within the PDP is intensifying, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal showdown.
