The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has issued a Form 48 notice against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, and the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Samuel Anyanwu, warning them of possible imprisonment for alleged disobedience of a court order.
The court, in Form 48 dated 20 April 2026, cautioned that the duo risk contempt proceedings if they fail to comply with its 12 January 2026 judgment, which dismissed Anyanwu’s suit challenging his expulsion from the PDP.
The notice, issued under Suit No. CV/1050/2025, listed Anyanwu as respondent, while senior PDP officials, including members of the National Executive Committee, were named as judgment creditors/applicants.
The court document explicitly warned: “Take notice that unless you stop further disobedience and comply forthwith/obey the judgment… you will be guilty of contempt and liable to be committed to prison.”
Party crisis deepens
The PDP has remained deeply divided, with rival factions led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), backed by Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, and another faction aligned with Abdulrahman Mohammed and supported by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The leadership crisis has resulted in multiple court cases, competing conventions, and conflicting claims to party control.
Court rulings and expulsion
On 10 March 2025, the PDP Disciplinary Committee recommended Anyanwu’s expulsion over alleged anti-party activities, a decision later ratified by party leadership.
During a disputed convention held on 15 November 2025, the Damagum-led faction announced the expulsion of Anyanwu, Wike, and Ayodele Fayose, though parts of the convention were later nullified by the courts.
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court had on 12 January 2026, dismissed Anyanwu’s suit challenging his expulsion, a ruling he has since appealed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
INEC recognition dispute
Despite ongoing litigation, Anyanwu reportedly participated in a Wike-backed PDP convention held in March 2026, which produced a parallel leadership structure later recognised by INEC.
However, the Turaki-led faction has since demanded that INEC withdraw recognition of Anyanwu as national secretary, insisting that the court judgment remains valid and enforceable.
Legal argument
In a letter dated 16 April 2026, the Turaki camp argued that Anyanwu ceased to be a PDP member following his expulsion and therefore lacks legal authority to act for the party.
It further maintained that his appeal does not constitute a stay of execution, citing constitutional provisions requiring compliance with subsisting court judgments.
The faction also warned INEC of possible contempt proceedings if it continues to recognise Anyanwu in any official capacity.
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