The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 22 for a definite hearing in the legal dispute over the authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date during Thursday’s proceedings, following consensus among parties in the suit filed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who is laying claim to the office.
This marks the first time the case is coming before Justice Umar, after it was previously assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo.
Justice Ekwo had earlier fixed March 25 for judgment before the plaintiff filed an application to amend his originating process, prompting a delay.
Senator Anyanwu initially sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, as first and second defendants in suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025.
Through his counsel, K. C. Njemanze, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the embattled National Secretary had sought an interim injunction restraining INEC from recognising or acting on any correspondence from the PDP not signed by him.
He also asked the court to stop Damagun from sending any PDP communication to INEC without his countersignature.
Following additional applications, the court joined the PDP and Udeh-Okoye as third and fourth defendants, while PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Ali Odela, and Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, were added as fifth and sixth defendants respectively.
At Thursday’s proceedings, U. C. Njemanze-Aku, who represented Anyanwu, informed the court that the matter had been listed for mention and that the fifth defendant had requested an adjournment to September.
While expressing a preference for an earlier date, the plaintiff’s counsel said they were not opposed to the adjournment. Other parties in the matter aligned with this position.
However, Chief Paul Erokoro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria representing the fourth defendant (Ude Okoye), informed the court that the core issue in the suit had already been addressed by the Supreme Court, which held that such disputes fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of political parties.
He indicated plans to file an application attaching the apex court’s judgment.
Justice Umar therefore directed all parties to file their responses to the pending motion for amendment and said all pending applications and objections will be heard on September 22.
