INEC ask Court to dismiss Anyanwu’s suit over PDP National Secretary position

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has requested the Abuja Federal High Court to step aside from hearing Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s suit challenging his removal as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

INEC argued that since an appeal on the matter is already before the Supreme Court, it would be in the interest of justice to allow the apex court to determine the case. In an affidavit submitted to the court, the electoral body maintained that it had refrained from taking a stance on Anyanwu’s suit, pending the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Furthermore, INEC asserted that the court lacks jurisdiction over internal party affairs, emphasizing that all official communications with political parties must be signed by both the National Chairman and National Secretary.

During Thursday’s proceedings, INEC’s counsel, Ahmed Mohammed, informed the court of the commission’s opposition to Anyanwu’s legal challenge. Other defendants, including Chief Udeh-Okoye Enemchukwu, who was endorsed as Anyanwu’s replacement, also submitted objections to the suit.

Chief Udeh-Okoye insisted that Anyanwu forfeited his position when he contested as PDP’s governorship candidate in Imo State’s 2023 election, citing the party’s constitution, which mandates officeholders to resign before running for elective office. He further argued that PDP’s Board of Trustees and National Working Committee had lawfully endorsed him as the new National Secretary in compliance with court rulings.

Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case until March 25 to hear both the preliminary objections and the substantive suit.

Anyanwu is seeking a stay of execution on court rulings that upheld his removal, but the PDP has maintained that his continued claim to the position is in violation of the party’s constitution. The Supreme Court is expected to deliver a final judgment on the dispute.