PDP Leadership Crisis Moves to Court as Appeal Court Set to Rule on Motion for Stay of Execution

The ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated to the courtrooms as party members await a ruling on a motion for a stay of execution filed by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, at the Court of Appeal.

The motion seeks to halt the enforcement of an Appeal Court decision that upheld Anyanwu’s removal from office by a High Court in Enugu. The ruling on the motion is expected today, unless there are any last-minute changes.

On December 20, 2024, the Appeal Court sitting in Enugu confirmed the High Court’s decision to remove Anyanwu as PDP’s national secretary, affirming Sunday Ude-Okoye as the rightful officeholder. In response, Anyanwu filed for a stay of execution and an appeal, with Dr. J.Y. Musa, SAN, appointed as the party’s legal counsel by PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, an ally of Anyanwu.

However, the selection of Dr. J.Y. Musa SAN and Co. as the party’s legal representatives has sparked divisions within the PDP. Eleven out of the 17 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have disowned Damagum and Anyanwu, alleging that they unilaterally chose the external legal team without consulting other NWC members, particularly the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN.

In a letter dated December 20, 2024, Damagum had appointed the chambers of Dr. J.Y. Musa SAN and Co. to represent the party in the Supreme Court Appeal No: CA / E/ 23/2024, involving Senator Samuel Anyanwu and others. Damagum claimed to have engaged the legal team on behalf of the NWC and the National Executive Committee (NEC). However, key figures in the NWC, including Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and National Treasurer Alhaji Yayari Ahmed, have disputed Damagum’s claims, writing a letter to the President of the Appeal Court to distance the party from Anyanwu’s appeal.

The court’s ruling on Anyanwu’s motion is now eagerly awaited as the PDP’s internal disputes continue to unfold.