Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has set September 22 for a definite hearing in the contentious legal battle over the authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The suit, filed by embattled National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, returned to court on Thursday for the first time before Justice Umar, following its earlier reassignment from Justice Inyang Ekwo. The new hearing date was agreed upon by all parties and will address both the substantive case and all pending motions.
Originally, Justice Ekwo had slated the matter for judgment on March 25, but Anyanwu filed an application seeking to amend his originating processes to refine the issues for determination, prompting a delay in proceedings.
Anyanwu, through his counsel, K. C. Njemanze, SAN, had filed suit FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025, naming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and PDP Acting National Chairman Umar Damagun as first and second defendants.
He sought interim injunctions to bar INEC from recognizing any correspondence from the PDP not signed by him, and to restrain Damagun from issuing any such documents without his co-signature.
In the course of litigation, the court approved multiple joinder applications, adding the PDP, Mr. Udeh-Okoye, PDP South-East Vice Chairman Ali Odela, and Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo as third to sixth defendants, respectively.
At Thursday’s proceedings, U.C. Njemanze-Aku, representing Anyanwu, told the court the case was listed for mention but that the 5th defendant had requested an adjournment until September. While the plaintiff’s team preferred a shorter adjournment, no objections were raised to the proposed timeline.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Paul Erokoro, appearing for one of the defendants, informed the court that the central issue—who holds legitimate authority within the party—had already been addressed by the Supreme Court, which ruled that such matters fall within the exclusive domain of political parties. He said he would file an application attaching the relevant apex court judgment.
Justice Umar directed all parties to respond to Anyanwu’s motion for amendment and confirmed that all pending motions and objections will be taken together on September 22.
The case has become a flashpoint in the PDP’s ongoing leadership crisis, with significant implications for the party’s internal cohesion and strategic positioning ahead of future elections.
