Appeal Court Allegedly Upholds Suspension of Wike's Ally Anyanwu, Bature, and Two Others From PDP
In a significant political development, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has reportedly upheld the suspension of four senior officials from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Samuel Anyanwu, an ally of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The decision, which has stirred reactions within the party, was announced on Monday, March 9, 2026, and affirms earlier judgments from the Federal High Court.
Details of the Suspension and Court Ruling
The suspended officials are Samuel Anyanwu, the former National Secretary; Abdulrahman Mohammed, the National Vice Chairman for the North Central region; Kamaldeen Ajibade, the National Legal Adviser; and Umar Bature, the National Organising Secretary. Their suspensions were initially imposed by the PDP's National Working Committee (NWC) during the party's 608th meeting in November 2025, citing disciplinary measures that were to last for an initial period of one month, with referrals to a disciplinary committee.
According to a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a faction of the PDP led by Kabiru Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the Court of Appeal upheld these suspensions while also affirming the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court. The statement, posted in full, read: "Breaking News: Court of Appeal upholds the suspension of Anyanwu, Abdulrahman, Ajibade and Bature. The court of appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the suspension of the former National Secretary, National Vice Chairman (North Central), National Legal Adviser and National Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party."
Background and Party Dynamics
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, who has over nine years of experience covering politics and governance in Nigeria, reported that the suspensions were part of internal party actions. Samuel Anyanwu, in particular, is noted as a close associate of Nyesom Wike, adding a layer of political intrigue to the case. The PDP had also suspended Okechukwu Osuoha, the deputy legal adviser, in the same November 2025 meeting, indicating broader disciplinary efforts within the party's leadership.
The Court of Appeal's alleged decision to uphold these suspensions underscores ongoing tensions and legal battles within the PDP, as factions navigate power dynamics and compliance with party regulations. This ruling could have implications for the party's structure and future electoral strategies, especially as it relates to key figures like Wike and his allies.
As the situation develops, more details are expected to emerge regarding the disciplinary committee's proceedings and any potential appeals or further legal actions by the affected officials. The PDP has yet to issue an official statement on the court's ruling, leaving room for speculation and analysis among political observers.
