By Amah
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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday brought an end to former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, factional National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu’s legal fight to reclaim his position, ruling that the case was now moot.
Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the suit, noting that Anyanwu’s tenure as national secretary had already expired in December 2025, rendering the legal action overtaken by events.
Anyanwu had approached the court in February 2025, seeking an injunction to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising any PDP correspondence not signed by him. He also sought to stop former acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagun, from sending party communications without his countersignature. The PDP and several party officials, including Sunday Udeh-Okoye, Dr. Ali Odela (South-East Vice Chairman), and Setonji Koshoedo (Deputy National Secretary), were subsequently added as defendants.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Anyanwu’s lawyer, U. C. Njemanze-Aku, informed the court that the former secretary’s tenure had elapsed.
“In the interest of justice and to avoid wasting the court’s time, we apply to withdraw this matter,” he said, emphasising that it would be improper to pursue a case already overtaken by events.
INEC’s counsel, Akintayo Balogun, had argued that the suit should never have been filed and recommended dismissal with a ₦1 million cost.
Other defence lawyers supported this. Njemanze-Aku countered, insisting the withdrawal was beyond his client’s control and urged that parties bear their own costs.
Justice Umar agreed, dismissing the suit without awarding costs.
“The delay is not attributable to any party. Given the circumstances, no cost is awarded,” he ruled.
The leadership dispute for the PDP national secretary position arose after Anyanwu stepped down to contest the 2023 Imo governorship election, which he lost. His effort to reclaim the office sparked internal conflict, with Udeh-Okoye emerging as a rival claimant.
The battle traces back to December 2024 when the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld a Federal High Court ruling, removing Anyanwu and confirming Udeh-Okoye as secretary. Anyanwu appealed to the Supreme Court, which in March 2025 overturned the lower courts’ decisions.
Despite that ruling, factions within the PDP continued to assert authority, prompting Anyanwu to file a fresh suit in Abuja, now conclusively dismissed by Tuesday’s judgment.
