March 09, (THEWILL) — The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Monday, upheld the suspension of key Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national officers, including former National Legal Adviser, Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature.
A three-member appellate panel affirmed decisions earlier taken by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to suspend Ajibade, Anyanwu, and others on November 1, 2025, following allegations of anti-party activities and conduct “inconsistent with the provisions of the PDP Constitution”.
The court ruled that the PDP acted within its constitutional powers under the party’s constitution in imposing the suspensions, and that these actions were not contrary to any existing legal or procedural requirements.
In its lead judgement, the appellate court validated the disciplinary processes initiated by the PDP, citing the supremacy of the party’s constitution in internal administrative matters. The court recognised the authority of the NWC to suspend officers found to have violated party discipline and constitutional provisions.
All prayers seeking to nullify the suspensions and reinstate the officers to their respective positions were dismissed for lacking merit, effectively rejecting the legal challenges mounted by the embattled officials.
The court emphasised the principle that political parties have the power to enforce internal discipline within the framework of their constitutions, and that courts will uphold such internal processes where they comply with legal standards.
The suspensions had been triggered after investigations revealed that the officers allegedly engaged in conduct contrary to party directives, a move the NWC said was necessary to maintain internal cohesion and adherence to party norms.
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