A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by Samuel Anyanwu, former PDP National Secretary, who was seeking recognition as the party’s National Secretary.
Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed the case on Tuesday after Anyanwu withdrew it.
Anyanwu filed the action last year at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, challenging the PDP’s decision to recognise Mr. Udeh-Okoye as his replacement.
The dispute followed Anyanwu’s resignation as National Secretary to contest the 2023 governorship election in Imo State. After losing the election, he attempted to return to the position but faced opposition within the party.
Read also: Supreme Court declares Samuel Anyanwu legitimate PDP national secretary
In separate judgments delivered in 2024, the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Enugu removed Anyanwu as National Secretary and affirmed Udeh-Okoye. However, the Supreme Court later set aside those decisions, ruling that the courts lacked jurisdiction to decide matters relating to the internal affairs of political parties.
Following the Supreme Court judgment, Anyanwu filed an application at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to amend his originating processes. Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the application on May 19 but imposed a fine of ₦150,000 for delaying the delivery of judgment.
Before the case could be concluded, it was reassigned to Justice Mohammed Umar. At proceedings on November 5, Justice Umar granted Anyanwu leave to amend his originating summons and imposed an additional fine of ₦30,000 in favour of the respondents, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, Udeh-Okoye, Ali Odela, and Setonji Koshoedo.
The matter was adjourned to January 20 for hearing.
When the case came up on Tuesday, Anyanwu’s counsel, K. C. Njemanze, SAN, informed the court that the suit had been overtaken by events, as Anyanwu’s tenure as National Secretary expired in November 2024, and applied to withdraw it.
After hearing submissions from counsel for the respondents, Justice Umar dismissed the suit on the grounds that issues had already been joined. The court declined to award costs.
