The Court of Appeal in Abuja has adjourned to January 27 the hearing of a motion filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagun, seeking a stay of execution of a judgment delivered on December 20, 2024.
The judgment in question had declared Sunday Ude-Okoye, the former PDP National Youth Leader, as the party’s National Secretary.
The PDP’s motion is aimed at preventing the enforcement of the ruling until the Supreme Court delivers a final verdict on the appeal.
Meanwhile, the Abuja Court of Appeal has instructed that Senator Samuel Anyanwu remain the National Secretary, maintaining the status quo until the case is resolved.
The crisis stems from a leadership tussle within the PDP.
In 2023, the party’s South East zone nominated Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu after he became the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Imo State.
The South East PDP argued that Anyanwu’s candidacy effectively vacated his position as National Secretary.
However, the December 2024 judgment by the Appeal Court in Enugu officially affirmed Ude-Okoye as National Secretary, sparking further legal battles.
Court documents obtained on January 16, 2025, show that Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, alongside Justices Hamma Akawu Barka and Joseph O. Oyewole, presided over the latest proceedings.
They ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the next hearing.
The court stated:
“An order staying the execution of the judgment delivered on December 20, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, is adjourned to January 27, 2025.
Accordingly, all parties are enjoined to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the motion.”
