Abuja,– The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sunday Udeh-Okoye, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Senator Samuel Anyanwu no longer holds any leadership position within the party.

Udeh-Okoye made the assertion on Thursday while responding to a suit filed by Anyanwu, who is challenging his removal as PDP National Secretary.

The legal battle stems from a December 2024 ruling by the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which upheld an earlier High Court judgment that sacked Anyanwu and recognized Udeh-Okoye as the rightful occupant of the position. The appellate court ruled that Anyanwu’s continued stay in office violated the PDP Constitution, as he had contested as the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 Imo election.

Despite the ruling, Anyanwu has sought a stay of execution and has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, where a verdict is awaited.

Party Leadership Dispute

Following the judicial rulings, the PDP’s Board of Trustees and National Working Committee ratified Udeh-Okoye’s appointment as National Secretary. However, Anyanwu has rejected the decision, arguing that the matter remains sub judice.

In a counter-affidavit filed by his legal team, led by Paul Erokoro (SAN), Udeh-Okoye insisted that Anyanwu ceased to be PDP National Secretary once he accepted the party’s governorship ticket for the Imo election.

He cited Article 47(5) of the PDP Constitution, which mandates that any elected officer must resign before contesting an elective position. Article 47(6) further stipulates that a replacement must be appointed from the same geopolitical zone to complete the tenure.

Udeh-Okoye stated that after Anyanwu failed to vacate the office, the PDP’s Board of Trustees formally notified the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagun, of the constitutional violation in a letter dated October 12, 2023. Subsequently, South-East PDP leaders convened in Enugu on October 16, 2022, and nominated Udeh-Okoye as a replacement.

INEC Calls for Dismissal of Anyanwu’s Case

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the court to dismiss Anyanwu’s suit.

In a counter-affidavit deposed to by an INEC official, Mohammed Ayuba, the Commission argued that all parties should await the Supreme Court’s ruling before taking further legal steps.

“The 1st defendant does not intend to join issues with the plaintiff pending the determination of the appeal at the Supreme Court,” INEC stated. The Commission further contended that the court lacked jurisdiction over the internal affairs of political parties.

Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter until March 25 for the hearing of preliminary objections alongside the substantive suit.