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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

INEC Faces Fresh Legal Pressure as Turaki-led PDP Demands Removal of Anyanwu as National Secretary

From ThisDay · (5d ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdraw recognition of Samuel N. Anyanwu as National Secretary.
  • The demand is based on a subsisting High Court judgment affirming Anyanwu's expulsion from the party.
  • The faction threatens contempt action against INEC if it fails to comply with the court order.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing renewed legal challenges as a faction led by Kabiru Turaki demands that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revoke its recognition of Samuel N. Anyanwu as the party's National Secretary. This demand stems from a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory judgment that affirmed Anyanwu's expulsion from the party.

The commission is constitutionally bound to enforce the judgement of the court which dismissed Anyanwu’s suit challenging his expulsion.

— Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, Counsel to the Turaki factionStating INEC's obligation to enforce the court's judgment regarding Anyanwu's expulsion.

According to a letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to the INEC Chairman, counsel for the Turaki faction, Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, asserts that INEC is constitutionally obligated to enforce the court's decision. The lawyers highlighted that Anyanwu's expulsion was recommended by the PDP's National Disciplinary Committee on March 10, 2025, for alleged anti-party activities, a decision subsequently upheld by the court on January 12, 2026. Despite Anyanwu filing an appeal, the lawyers stressed that the judgment remains valid and binding as the appeal does not operate as a stay of execution.

The lawyers stated that the PDP’s National Disciplinary Committee had, on March 10, 2025, recommended Anyanwu’s expulsion for alleged anti-party activities, a decision which was subsequently accepted and implemented by the party.

— Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, Counsel to the Turaki factionDetailing the process leading to Anyanwu's expulsion.

The legal team argues that Anyanwu, having been expelled, is no longer a member or officer of the PDP and therefore lacks the authority to act on behalf of the party. They cited Section 287(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, emphasizing that all court decisions are binding on all authorities and persons. The PDP faction warned that INEC's continued recognition of Anyanwu constitutes a breach of constitutional duty and disrespects the judiciary.

The appeal does not operate as a stay of execution, and therefore the judgement remains valid, subsisting, and binding.

— Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, Counsel to the Turaki factionClarifying the legal status of the court judgment despite Anyanwu's appeal.

This legal pressure on INEC underscores the internal strife within the PDP and the broader political landscape in Nigeria. The demand for Anyanwu's removal raises questions about party discipline, the enforceability of court judgments, and INEC's role in mediating intra-party disputes. The threat of contempt action signals the faction's determination to see the court's ruling implemented, potentially leading to further legal battles and political realignments within the party.

Citing Section 287(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the lawyers reminded INEC that the decisions of all courts of competent jurisdiction are binding on all authorities and persons across the Federation and must be enforced without exception.

— Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, Counsel to the Turaki factionEmphasizing INEC's constitutional duty to enforce court judgments.
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Originally published by ThisDay. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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