ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a fresh twist on Wednesday as a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja issued a notice warning that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, and the party’s embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, risk imprisonment for alleged disobedience of a subsisting court order.
The court, in a Form 48 dated April 20, 2026, warned that both men could be committed to prison if they fail to comply with its January 12 judgment, which dismissed Anyanwu’s suit challenging his expulsion from the PDP.
In the public notice filed in Suit No. CV/1050/2025, Anyanwu was listed as the respondent, while key figures aligned with the party’s National Executive Committee, including Umar Damagum, were named as judgment creditors/applicants.
The notice, directed at both Anyanwu and Amupitan, reads: “Take notice that unless you stop further disobedience and comply forthwith/obey the judgment/order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, made on the 12th of January 2026, which dismissed the suit of Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu challenging his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party, you will be guilty of contempt and you will be liable to be committed to prison.”
The development adds another layer to the prolonged internal crisis within the PDP, which has split the party into rival factions.
One bloc is led by Tanimu Turaki and backed by governors such as Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, while the opposing camp is led by Abdulrahman Mohammed with the support of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The crisis traces back to a series of disciplinary actions and disputed conventions. On March 10, 2025, the party’s National Disciplinary Committee recommended Anyanwu’s expulsion over alleged anti-party activities a decision later ratified by the leadership.
READ ALSO Supreme Court Fast-Tracks PDP Appeal Over Disputed Convention Crisis
Subsequently, during the controversial Ibadan convention of November 15, 2025, the party under Damagum announced the expulsion of Anyanwu, Wike, and Ayodele Fayose, although the courts later nullified that convention.
Anyanwu later approached the FCT High Court to challenge his removal, but on January 12, 2026, Justice Yusuf Halilu dismissed his case. He has since filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja on April 10, 2026.
Despite the legal setbacks, Anyanwu remained active in party affairs and played a key role in the Wike-backed convention held between March 29 and 30, 2026, in Abuja, which produced Abdulrahman Mohammed as national chairman and retained him as national secretary a leadership structure later recognised by INEC.
However, the Turaki-led faction has continued to push back. In a strongly worded letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to INEC Chairman Amupitan through its counsel, Abdullahi Ibrahim, the group demanded the immediate withdrawal of recognition of Anyanwu as both a party member and national secretary.
The letter referenced the January 12 judgment, insisting that Anyanwu ceased to be a member of the PDP from the date of his expulsion and therefore lacks the legal authority to act on behalf of the party.
It further argued that the notice of appeal filed by Anyanwu does not amount to a stay of execution, stressing that the judgment remains valid and enforceable under Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“Senator Samuel Anyanwu has ceased to be a member and officer of the Peoples Democratic Party and has no competence to act on behalf of the party in any capacity whatsoever since his expulsion,” the letter stated.
It added, “By implication, the judgment dismissing his case remains subsisting and in force, and the commission has a constitutional obligation to enforce, comply with, and implement the judgment… even without prompting from the Peoples Democratic Party.”
The faction warned that failure by INEC to comply with the court ruling could trigger further legal action, including contempt proceedings against the commission’s chairman.
“Should the commission fail, refuse or neglect to comply we shall have no further recourse which steps may include filing contempt proceedings against the chairman of the commission,” the letter added.
The latest court warning is expected to further heighten tensions within the PDP as the party struggles to stabilise ahead of the 2027 general elections.