A Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown out a suit filed by Samuel Anyanwu, seeking recognition as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, came as a surprise and has added a fresh layer to the party’s internal crisis.
The case was dismissed after Anyanwu’s own lawyer admitted that his client’s tenure had already expired.
This admission shifted the entire direction of the proceedings and effectively ended the legal battle before arguments could fully unfold.
Presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, dismissed the matter after listening to submissions from all parties.
The court ruled that the case had been overtaken by events, therefore making further hearing unnecessary.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025, Anyanwu had asked the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising any PDP communication not signed by him.
He also sought to stop Umar Damagum, who was PDP chairman at the time, from acting on such correspondence.
However, when the matter came up in court, Anyanwu’s counsel, U. C. Njemanze-Aku, informed the judge that the situation had changed.
According to him, his client’s tenure as PDP National Secretary ended in December 2025.
“In the interest of justice, I apply to withdraw this matter to save the time of the court,” he said.
Meanwhile, INEC’s lawyer, Akintayo Balogun, argued that the suit should never have been filed.
He therefore urged the court to dismiss it and award a cost of N1 million against Anyanwu. Moreover, Damagum’s counsel, M. O. Akpan, supported INEC’s position.
After hearing all submissions, Justice Umar delivered a brief but firm ruling.
“Since you have joined issues, I am going to dismiss this matter. The matter is hereby dismissed,” he ruled. However, no cost was awarded against Anyanwu.
The PDP National Secretary lawsuit has been one of several legal battles troubling the opposition party.
The position has remained contested, with Anyanwu, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, and Setonji Koshoedo all laying claim to the office.
Furthermore, the dismissal is expected to reshape ongoing power struggles within the PDP.
