The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a motion filed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to delay the execution of the judgment that removed him from office. The five-member panel, headed by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, struck out the motion after it was withdrawn by Anyanwu’s counsel, Mr. Ken Njamanze, SAN, to allow the substantive matter to proceed.
The appellate court’s December ruling had upheld a High Court verdict sacking Anyanwu and recognized Chief Ude Okoye as the authentic national scribe of the party. Anyanwu had argued that his continued hold on office violated the PDP constitution, especially since he had contested and emerged as the party’s candidate in last year’s Imo State governorship election.
While Anyanwu urged the apex court to overturn the Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal’s decision, Mr. Paul Erokoro, SAN, representing the respondent, called for the judgment to be upheld. The panel has reserved its final judgment and will notify the parties of the hearing date.
The Supreme Court’s accelerated review comes amid widespread discontent within the PDP following earlier endorsements by the Board of Trustees and National Working Committee that favored Chief Okoye’s appointment as National Secretary. Despite the decisions, Anyanwu continues to contest the removal, insisting that the position remains under litigation.
