Samuel Anyanwu, a 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, making the lawsuit obsolete.
The Independent National Electoral Commission and Umar Damagun, a former acting National Chairman of the PDP, were named as the first and second defendants in Anyanwu’s suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025.
Anyanwu requested a temporary injunction prohibiting INEC from receiving or acting upon any PDP letter that was not signed by him in an ex parte motion submitted on February 13, 2025, through his attorney, Ken Njemanze. Additionally, he requested that the court prevent Damagun from sending any correspondence to INEC without his countersignature.
Sunday Udeh-Okoye and the People’s Democratic Party were added as third and fourth defendants by the court on February 28, 2025. Setonji Koshoedo, the Deputy National Secretary, and Dr. Ali Odela, the party’s South-East Vice Chairman, were also added as fifth and sixth accused.
U. C. Njemanze-Aku, Anyanwu’s attorney, told the court that his client’s term 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 move forward with a case that had already been overrun by circumstances.
Akintayo Balogun, INEC’s attorney, contended that the lawsuit should never have been brought in the first place and asked the court to dismiss it at a cost of ₦1 million. The request for costs was supported by other defense attorneys.
Njemanze-Aku, however, objected, claiming that the plaintiff had no influence over the withdrawal.
“We have an obligation to the court, and we chose to drop the lawsuit to save it time. He urged the court to let the parties pay their own expenses, arguing that it is unfair to penalize the plaintiff.
Judge Umar dismissed the lawsuit without awarding costs after hearing the arguments.
“I am going to reject this matter because you have joined issues. The judge declared, “The matter is hereby dismissed.”
Regarding expenses, he continued, “No party is to blame for the delay.” It was due to the circumstances. I award no cost because of this.
Anyanwu’s resignation to run for governor of Imo in 2023, which he lost, sparked a leadership struggle for the PDP national secretary post. Internal party strife resulted from his attempt to regain the job, and Udeh-Okoye emerged as a competitor.
A Federal High Court ruling that dismissed Anyanwu and confirmed Udeh-Okoye as secretary was upheld by the Enugu Court of Appeal on December 20, 2024. Anyanwu filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, which reversed the rulings of the lower courts in March 2025.
Anyanwu filed a new lawsuit in Abuja to enforce his position since PDP groups persisted in claiming power notwithstanding the verdict of the highest court. With Tuesday’s dismissal, that legal battle has officially come to a conclusion.
