Godsent Ogbebor
Court Rejects Anyanwu’s Request to Halt INEC from Effecting His Removal as PDP Secretary
The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined the request of embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing his removal.
In a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo rejected Anyanwu’s ex parte application, stating that the court must hear from all parties before granting any reliefs.
Anyanwu, through his counsel, Ken Njemanze (SAN), had sought an order stopping INEC from receiving or acting upon any correspondence from the PDP unless signed by him.
He also wanted the court to restrain the party’s acting National Chairman, Amb Umar Damagum, from submitting any documents to INEC without his approval.
Justice Ekwo, however, ruled that while the case was urgent, it required input from the defendants.
Also, he directed Anyanwu to serve court processes on INEC and Damagum and scheduled a hearing for February 24.
Amid the ongoing leadership crisis, the Cross River State chapter of the PDP has called for a peaceful resolution of internal conflicts while pushing for a reorganisation of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
During a meeting at the party’s secretariat in Calabar on Wednesday, led by Acting State Chairman Denis Nkiri and attended by 31 members of the State Executive Committee, the chapter declared support for PDP governors in the South-South to restructure and strengthen the party.
A faction of the party had previously suggested holding the zonal congress in Calabar, breaking from the tradition of hosting it in Port Harcourt, the zonal headquarters of the South-South PDP.
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However, the Cross River chapter aligned with the decision of South-South PDP governors to maintain Port Harcourt as the venue.
A communiqué signed by the executive members, including the State Working Committee and chapter chairpersons, affirmed their support for the party’s governors and adherence to constitutional guidelines regarding the upcoming zonal congress.
“In accordance with our party’s constitution as amended in 2017, all zonal congresses are to be held at the designated zonal headquarters, which, for the South-South region, is Port Harcourt, as has been the tradition,” the communiqué stated.
The party leadership emphasized the need for unity and called on leaders to prioritize the PDP’s long-term stability and electoral success in 2027.
“Ultimately, the SEC calls on all party leaders to be selfless and inclusive of varying opinions in their efforts to elect capable officials through the forthcoming South-South zonal congresses, which are anticipated to be pivotal for the party’s success in the region,” the statement read.
