Appeal Court backs PDP suspension of Samuel Anyanwu, affirming the authority of the party’s National Working Committee to enforce discipline

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has welcomed a ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja which affirmed the suspension of the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and other officials by the party’s National Working Committee.

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The Edo PDP described the judgment as a decisive victory for party supremacy, institutional discipline and the rule of law within the opposition party.

In a statement issued on Monday in Benin by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the chapter said the decision reinforced the authority of the National Working Committee to enforce the provisions of the party’s constitution and take disciplinary action against erring members.

According to Osa-Ogbegie, the ruling sent a clear signal that no individual, regardless of position within the party, can operate above the constitutional framework guiding the PDP.

“The ruling is a major victory for party supremacy, institutional discipline and the rule of law within the PDP,” the statement said.

“It is a moral and political victory for loyal party members across the country who have remained committed to protecting the integrity and unity of the party.”

The Edo PDP alleged that some individuals had recently attempted to destabilise the party through actions aimed at undermining legitimate leadership structures and creating internal confusion.

The chapter said the court’s decision had now reaffirmed the supremacy of the party’s constitution in regulating the conduct of its officers.

The party congratulated members of the National Working Committee and supporters nationwide, urging them to remain united as the PDP works to rebuild and strengthen its structures ahead of future political contests.

Earlier on Monday, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court of Nigeria restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by a faction of the party led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, which had challenged the jurisdiction of the lower court to hear the case.

The court held that the Federal High Court was competent to entertain the suit, rejecting arguments that the matter was solely an internal party affair.

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It ruled that the appellants could not “repackage a clear violation of the party constitution and that of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an internal party affair.”