Rules Internal Party Affairs Non-Justiciable, Nullifies Lower Courts’ Judgments
Abuja, Nigeria – The Supreme Court has nullified the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, which had sacked Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The apex court ruled that the issue of who occupies the position of National Secretary is an internal affair of the party and therefore not subject to judicial intervention.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Jamilu Tukur, delivered the judgment on Thursday, striking out the earlier rulings of the lower courts. Justice Tukur emphasized that the plaintiff, Aniagu Emmanuel, lacked the legal standing to initiate the suit, as he failed to demonstrate how he was personally affected by the appointment of the PDP National Secretary.
Details of the Judgment
The Supreme Court upheld the minority judgment of the Court of Appeal, delivered by Justice Ekanem, which had earlier nullified the Federal High Court’s decision on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction. Justice Tukur stated, “The issue of who is the National Secretary of the PDP borders on the internal affairs of a political party, which is not justiciable.”
The Federal High Court had in October 2024 ruled in favor of the plaintiff, leading to the removal of Senator Anyanwu. The Court of Appeal, in a majority judgment in December 2024, affirmed the lower court’s decision. However, the Supreme Court has now set aside both judgments, reinstating Senator Anyanwu to his position.
Implications of the Ruling
The Supreme Court’s decision reinforces the principle that internal party matters, including leadership appointments, are not within the purview of the judiciary unless they violate constitutional provisions or electoral laws. This ruling is expected to have significant implications for future disputes involving political party internal affairs.
Reactions and Next Steps
Senator Samuel Anyanwu has welcomed the judgment, describing it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. The PDP leadership has also expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating that it allows the party to focus on its internal reorganization and preparations for upcoming elections.
The plaintiff, Aniagu Emmanuel, has yet to comment on the Supreme Court’s decision.
