‘Party Affairs Not Justiciable’: Supreme Court Affirms Anyanwu’s Position, Cites Lack Of Plaintiff’s Standing

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), overturning previous judgments that had removed him from the position.

The apex court set aside the verdicts of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which had recognized Sunday Udey-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.

The five-member panel of justices held that the issue of party leadership falls under the internal affairs of a political party and, therefore, is not justiciable in a court of law.

Justice Jamilu Tukur, delivering the lead judgment, ruled that the lower courts lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case. He further affirmed the minority judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier dismissed the trial court’s ruling due to lack of jurisdiction.

The court also noted that the original plaintiff, Aniagu Emmanuel, who initiated the case, lacked the legal standing to do so as he failed to demonstrate how he was personally affected by the dispute over the PDP National Secretary position.

Senator Anyanwu had initially vacated the National Secretary position to contest the Imo State governorship election but sought to reclaim the role following his loss in the gubernatorial race. With this judgment, his reinstatement is now legally affirmed.

The Supreme Court’s decision puts an end to the leadership dispute within the PDP, reinforcing the principle that internal party affairs should be resolved within the party’s framework rather than through the judiciary.