In what seems to be significant victory towards recovering the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the hands of destroyers, Justice M. G. Umar of the
A Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, dismissed Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s legal battle to remain as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Anyanwu had also sought to block the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing other party correspondence.
The court presided over by Justice M.G. Umar in his judgement in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025, rejected the claim by Senator Samuel Anyanwu against INEC and others, thereby brought to an end the prolonged effort to extend his tenure beyond the original term.
Justice Umar in his judgement held that matters of political party leadership, structure, and administration are internal affairs and not subject to judicial interference and therefore aligned with established Supreme Court precedents that limit court involvement in how parties manage their officers.
The court noted the existence of multiple overlapping lawsuits on the same issue across various courts, including High Courts, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, and described Anyanwu’s insistence as an abuse of judicial process.
Justice Umar specifically held that Senator Anyanwu was elected National Secretary in 2021 for a fixed term, thus could not lawfully remain in office after the term had expired irrespective of arguments concerning delayed conventions or extensions.
Anyanwu had sought an injunction to prevent his removal and to compel INEC to accept only documents bearing his signature as he contended that his tenure should continue until December 2025 due to postponements in the party’s national convention.
The judgment is seen as major legal defeat for Anyanwu and the Nyesom Wike led group of the PDP who pursued several court actions over the past two years in an attempt to hold onto the position.
