Battle for PDP National Secretary: Supreme Court upholds Party Supremacy
………urges PDP to manage its internal affairs
By Barr Obinna Nwachukwu
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reaffirmed the principle of Party Supremacy, and directed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to manage its own affairs on an appeal brought before the court by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, regarding the judgement of Appeal Court, Enugu Division sacking him as National Secretary of the PDP.
In a unanimous decision, the apex court re-emphasized that political parties possess the autonomy to manage their internal affairs without undue interference from external bodies, including the judiciary, provided such actions align with their constitutions and the laws of the land.
The case, which pitted Senator Samuel Anyanwu against Rt Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye for the office of National Secretary, had escalated through the lower courts, culminating in this decisive ruling.
The Supreme Court, in its wisdom, set aside the earlier judgement of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, delivered on December 20, 2024, which had affirmed Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary of the Party.
The apex court held that the matter was an internal party issue, urging the PDP to resolve the dispute through its established mechanisms as enshrined in the party’s constitution.
In the lead judgement, the Supreme Court underscored that the judiciary’s role was not to micro-manage the leadership selection processes of political parties but to ensure adherence to due process, equity, justice and fairness.
The court directed the PDP leadership, including the National Working Committee (NWC), to take full responsibility for settling the disagreement in a manner consistent with the party’s rules and the democratic ethos it upholds.
This ruling, therefore, is victory for the sanctity of political party autonomy and a call to strengthen internal democracy.
In the light of the above, the Party should act swiftly to implement the court’s directive, in order to foster unity and progress within its ranks by ensuring that the recommendations of the South East Caucus of the Party, nominating Rt Hon SKE Udeh Okoye as National Secretary of the Party is upheld and implemented.
Barrister Obinna Nwachukwu, Abuja
