Supreme Court Declines Anyanwu’s Stay Plea As PDP National Secretary, Sets March 10 Hearing
The Supreme Court has declined Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s request for a stay of execution on the December 20, 2024, Appeal Court ruling that removed him as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The court, however, granted accelerated hearings and adjourned further proceedings to March 10, 2025, with the possibility of a judgment on the same day.
The ruling followed a heated session at the Supreme Court, where Senator Anyanwu’s legal team vigorously argued for a stay of execution to temporarily suspend the enforcement of the Appeal Court’s decision. However, the justices unanimously held that the Appeal Court’s judgment, delivered by the Enugu Division, was a declaratory judgment and therefore could not be stayed.
The Supreme Court’s decision effectively upholds the appointment of Rt. Hon. Udeh Okoye as the PDP’s National Secretary, as earlier ruled by the Appeal Court. This means Senator Anyanwu cannot retain the office while his appeal is being heard.
The appeal seeks to overturn the December 20, 2024, split ruling by the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which ordered Anyanwu’s removal as the legitimate National Secretary of the party. However, this decision has not yet been implemented due to a stay of execution granted by the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal in January 2025.
The Supreme Court’s ruling also debunked claims by Senator Anyanwu and his supporters that his continued occupation of the office was backed by a temporary stay of execution granted by the Appeal Court’s Abuja Division. The Supreme Court clarified that no such stay was in effect, and Anyanwu’s continued presence in office was without legal basis.
The Appeal Court’s December 20, 2024, judgment had affirmed Rt. Hon. Udeh Okoye as the rightful National Secretary of the PDP, following a protracted legal battle over the party’s leadership. Anyanwu’s legal team had sought the stay of execution to prevent Okoye from assuming office pending the outcome of the appeal.
With today’s ruling, Rt. Hon. Udeh Okoye remains the substantive National Secretary of the PDP, while Senator Anyanwu’s appeal will be heard on an accelerated basis. The Supreme Court has adjourned further proceedings to March 10, 2025, for the continuation of the case, with the possibility of a judgment on the same day.
