The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described reports concerning Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s appeal as misleading, insisting that no suspension ever existed and clarifying that the legal action was not linked to any disciplinary process.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, speaking under the leadership of Abdurahman Mohammed, said in a statement on Saturday that although Anyanwu filed an appeal, it was not connected to any suspension.
The PDP has remained embroiled in a prolonged internal crisis, with the party split into factions. One bloc, led by Tanimu Turaki, is backed by Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, while the opposing faction led by Mohammed has the support of Wike.
Both sides have approached the courts in a bid to secure favourable rulings. In one of the cases, it was earlier reported that Anyanwu filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, challenging a judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory which dismissed his suit and upheld his recommended expulsion from the party.
The appeal, dated April 10, 2026, was filed at the Abuja division of the appellate court, contesting the January 12, 2026 ruling delivered by Justice Yusuf Halilu.
Meanwhile, the Turaki led faction, through its lawyers, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, seeking to withdraw recognition of the Mohammed and Anyanwu faction, including the Wike backed camp. The development has generated mixed reactions among supporters of both sides.
In response, Mohammed explained that the Tom Ikimi Disciplinary Committee only recommended a suspension, which was never reviewed, adopted or ratified by either the National Working Committee or the National Executive Committee of the party.
He stressed that the recommendation had no binding effect and that no valid suspension ever took place.
He said, “The party categorically states that these reports are misleading and lack proper context. While it is true that Senator Anyanwu filed an appeal, it is important to clarify that the appeal was not against any suspension.”
“The suit, which was first initiated at the FCT High Court, Abuja, was a case filed to challenge the competence and proceedings of the Disciplinary Committee previously chaired by Mr Tom Ikimi, who has since left the PDP.”
“It must be emphasised that the Tom Ikimi Disciplinary Committee merely recommended a suspension. This recommendation was never considered, adopted, or ratified by either the National Working Committee or the National Executive Committee of the Party. As such, it had no binding effect, and no valid suspension existed at any time.”
“Furthermore, the said Disciplinary Committee and its recommendations had long been jettisoned by the Party’s leadership after it was determined that the committee was constituted in violation of Chapter 10, Article 57(1) of the Party’s Constitution.”
“Accordingly, there was no valid or effective suspension at any time. For the avoidance of doubt, the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered by Justice Halilu in January 2026 did not affirm any suspension, as that was never the issue before the court.”
Mohammed added that the court struck out the case on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction, ruling that disciplinary matters are internal party affairs and not subject to judicial review.
The statement read in part, “In light of these facts, the appeal, which was inadvertently filed on April 10th, 2026, has now been directed to be immediately withdrawn as it is no longer necessary.”
“It is also pertinent to note that Senator Anyanwu and others referenced in the misleading reports had successfully completed their tenure since last year.”
“The PDP wishes to remind Nigerians that the Federal High Court in Ibadan, in a landmark judgment, had earlier upheld the composition of the National Caretaker Committee and directed INEC to recognise it.”
“Also, the Abuja National Convention held on March 29 and 30, 2026, was conducted with full legal backing, in line with valid judgments of both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, and was duly monitored by INEC.”
The party urged the public, its members and stakeholders to ignore the reports, describing them as misleading accounts intended to create confusion.