The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has moved to consolidate its internal leadership structure following the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a Supreme Court judgment that upheld the suspension of its former National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, alongside others.
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision by all five justices, dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Anyanwu and his co-appellants, effectively affirming earlier positions that sustained their suspension from party activities. The ruling further clarified that a suspended party official lacks the legal capacity to act on behalf of the party in any administrative or representative capacity.
With the judgment now formally documented, the party maintains that any actions, communications, or appointments made by Anyanwu and his associates during the suspension period are null and void, and carry no legal or organizational consequence within the PDP structure.
The decision has also reignited controversy around the legitimacy of the party’s national convention held on March 29, 2026, in Abuja, which had been challenged on the basis of participation by individuals whose suspensions were still in force. Party stakeholders now argue that the outcome of that convention cannot be legally sustained due to the absence of valid conveners.
In a swift administrative response aimed at stabilizing the party, the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), during its 103rd meeting, approved the creation of an Interim National Working Committee (iNWC) to manage the affairs of the party.
The interim body is chaired by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, and has officially assumed administrative leadership responsibilities in line with the provisions of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended). The move is being positioned by party leadership as a constitutional step to prevent a leadership vacuum and restore internal order.
Party officials, including former Senate President Adolphus Wabara who presided over the NEC meeting, insist that the intervention is necessary to align the party’s operations with judicial pronouncements and constitutional guidelines.