Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A Federal High Court has dismissed a suit filed by Samuel Anyanwu seeking judicial validation of his position as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following his decision to withdraw the case.
The suit, which had drawn significant attention amid ongoing leadership tensions within the opposition party, was struck out after Anyanwu formally applied to discontinue the legal action. The court, in its ruling, held that having voluntarily withdrawn the matter, there was no basis for further adjudication.
Anyanwu had approached the court to affirm his status as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP, at a time when internal disputes over the party’s national leadership structure had intensified. His case was part of a broader legal and political contest surrounding the control of key offices within the PDP, especially as the party works to stabilise its internal processes ahead of future elections.
During proceedings, the presiding judge noted that the withdrawal application was properly filed and unopposed, leading to the dismissal of the suit in line with established legal procedure. The court did not make any pronouncement on the substantive claims raised in the matter, as the withdrawal effectively brought the case to an end.
The development comes against the backdrop of prolonged wrangling within the PDP over the office of National Secretary, a position central to the party’s administration, correspondence and organisational coherence. The dispute has involved multiple factions and court actions, reflecting deeper divisions within the party’s leadership since the 2023 general elections.
While Anyanwu has not publicly detailed the reasons for withdrawing the suit, party insiders suggest the move may be linked to ongoing political consultations and efforts to resolve internal disagreements through non-judicial means. Others believe the withdrawal could be strategic, aimed at avoiding further legal complications that might weaken the party’s public standing.
The PDP has in recent months faced a series of legal challenges and internal conflicts over leadership positions, zoning arrangements and party discipline. Analysts note that frequent resort to the courts has not only slowed decision-making within the party but has also raised concerns among supporters about unity and readiness for upcoming political contests.
With the dismissal of the suit, attention is expected to shift back to internal party mechanisms and negotiations to resolve the National Secretaryship dispute. Party stakeholders have repeatedly called for reconciliation and adherence to constitutional processes to prevent further erosion of confidence among members and the wider electorate.
As of the time of filing this report, the PDP leadership had not issued an official statement reacting to the court’s decision. It also remains unclear what next steps Anyanwu or other contending interests within the party may take regarding the contested position.
The court’s ruling underscores the principle that litigants retain the right to discontinue their cases, but also highlights how unresolved political disputes within parties can spill into the judiciary, with broader implications for internal democracy.
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