Court Restrains PDP From Acting On Disciplinary Committee’s Recommendation To Expel Anyanwu

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party, its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and members of the National Disciplinary Committee led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi, from expelling Senator Samuel Anyanwu from the party.

Justice Y. Halilu, in an order dated March 20, issued the directive on Friday after hearing Motion Ex-parte M/3951/2025, filed on March 17, 2025, along with an affidavit of urgency. The court also listened to the arguments of Anyanwu’s counsel, K.C. O. Njemanze and M. L. Young-Arney.

Recall on March 13, the National Disciplinary Committee, led by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, recommended the expulsion of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a loyalist of ex-Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, from the PDP.

In a letter signed by Ikimi on March 10 and received by the PDP acting National Chairman on March 11, the NDC stated that, despite being given an opportunity, Anyanwu failed to deny or defend himself against the petition filed by the Young Generation Caucus.

Ikimi’s committee report read in part: “Having listened to the petitioners and the evidence led, including the oral testimonies of Hon. Afolabi Adekanbi and Dr. Alex Adum, we find that the respondent, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, was engaged in anti-party activities contrary to the provisions of Article 58 (1)(f) of the PDP Constitution 2017, and conduct likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful, and efficient conduct of the business of the party, contrary to the provisions of Article 58(1)(h) of the PDP Constitution 2017, by inviting security agents, other persons, and thugs to interfere in the ordinary business of the party at the headquarters of the party at Wadata Plaza, Plot 1970, Michael Opara Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, particularly on January 29 and February 1, 2025.

“The NDC recommends to the National Executive Committee of the PDP as follows: Expulsion of the respondent, i.e., Senator Samuel Anyanwu, as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

Consequently, the High Court in Abuja issued an interim injunction, restraining Damagum, the PDP, Ikimi, and other disciplinary committee members from accepting, acting on, or implementing the National Disciplinary Committee’s findings, decision, or recommendations until the Motion on Notice for an Interlocutory Injunction is heard and decided.

The order read in part: “An order of interim injunction restraining Damagum and the PDP, their officers, agents, and/or servants from in whatsoever manner accepting, acting on, implementing, and/or giving effect to the findings, decision, and/or recommendation of the National Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (headed by Ikimi with Senator Abdullahi Idris Uka and Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as members) made on March 10, 2025, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction, is hereby granted.

“An order of interim injunction restraining Damagum and the PDP, including the National Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, their officers, agents, and/or servants from suspending and/or expelling Anyanwu as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party or taking actions or steps adverse or prejudicial to, or likely to be adverse or prejudicial to, Anyanwu’s membership of the Peoples Democratic Party pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction, is hereby granted.”

The Motion on Notice has been adjourned for hearing on April 7.