By Our Reporter
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed that it will adhere to the Appeal Court’s ruling that bars the party from appointing a new acting National Secretary in place of Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Ibrahim Abdullahi, the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, made the announcement at a press briefing titled “Just so the PDP may have a breather” on Friday in Abuja.
Abdullahi explained that in recent days, the PDP has received two court orders related to the party’s national secretary. On Wednesday, the party was served an interim injunction by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, in a case marked CV/64/2025. The injunction, filed by Imo PDP Chairman Austine Nwachukwu through his lawyer, Clement Mue, prohibits the PDP from recognizing Setonji Koshoedo, the Deputy National Secretary, as the substantive National Secretary.
On Thursday, the PDP was also served with a stay of execution order from the Court of Appeal (Abuja Division) in appeal No. CA/E/24/2024. The ruling, which followed a decision from the Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal on December 20, 2024, restrains the PDP from enforcing the judgment until the Supreme Court resolves an appeal filed by the party. The court’s order also prevents the PDP, its officials, Koshoedo, or any other person from acting as the National Secretary.
Additionally, the Deputy National Secretary has been barred from issuing notices for meetings of the National Executive Committee (NEC) or National Working Committee (NWC), signing any documents, or performing any official duties except under the direction of Anyanwu or in his absence.
“We are a law-abiding party, and we will respect the court’s order,” Abdullahi stated. He also mentioned that the PDP would send legal representation to defend the party when the motion on notice is heard on January 28 and February 5.
Abdullahi emphasized that Anyanwu remains the legitimate National Secretary of the PDP until the Supreme Court resolves the appeal. “The law requires that the appellant wait for the final decision of the court,” he said.
He urged all party members to remain patient and respect the court process.
When asked about his role in the briefing despite Debo Ologunagba’s position as the substantive National Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi explained that he shares the authority to speak for the party. He clarified that he was instructed by the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to speak, given Ologunagba’s recent statements and actions, which Abdullahi said had not been approved by the NWC. According to Abdullahi, a National Publicity Secretary cannot represent the NWC without its prior approval, as this is not in line with the party’s rules.