The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to withdraw from the legal battle over Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s removal as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
INEC’s argument? The case is already before the Supreme Court, and all parties should wait for its ruling before taking further legal action.
In its affidavit, INEC emphasized that according to its rules, all official communications with political parties must be signed by both the National Chairman and the National Secretary. However, it had remained silent on the issue until now.
“The court’s jurisdiction is ousted in matters concerning the internal affairs of political parties,” INEC’s counsel, Ahmed Mohammed, stated while filing the counter-affidavit on March 7.
Meanwhile, Chief Udeh-Okoye Enemchukwu, who has been recognized as Anyanwu’s replacement by the PDP, insists that the matter is settled. He argued that Anyanwu automatically lost his position after he became the PDP’s governorship candidate in Imo State’s 2023 election, citing the party’s constitution, which mandates executive members to resign before seeking elective office.
The PDP’s Board of Trustees and National Working Committee have already backed Udeh-Okoye, aligning with previous rulings from the High Court and the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which declared Anyanwu’s continued stay in office unconstitutional.
Anyanwu, however, refuses to back down, challenging his removal and asking the court to halt the execution of the judgments against him. His final hope now rests with the Supreme Court, where his appeal is pending judgment.
Justice Inyang Ekwo has scheduled March 25 to hear all preliminary objections alongside the main case, as the battle for PDP’s National Secretary seat continues.
