The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has adjourned the hearing of a motion filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagun, seeking a stay of execution until January 27, 2025. The motion aims to delay the enforcement of a judgment delivered on December 20, 2024, which confirmed Sunday Ude-Okoye, the former PDP National Youth Leader, as the party’s National Secretary.
The court had earlier issued an order that restrained the PDP from enforcing the ruling, instructing that Senator Samuel Anyanwu continue as the PDP National Secretary until the Supreme Court resolves the appeal. The PDP has been embroiled in internal crises since the 2023 elections, with many members blaming Damagun, an ally of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for the party’s troubles.
The issue stems from the South East zone of the PDP nominating Ude-Okoye as National Secretary after Anyanwu was selected as the party’s candidate for the Imo State governorship election. The PDP’s South East leaders argued that Anyanwu was no longer eligible to remain as National Secretary after accepting the governorship nomination.
On December 20, 2024, the Appeal Court in Enugu confirmed Ude-Okoye’s appointment, a ruling officially communicated to the party leadership on December 24, 2024. However, the PDP’s leadership sought to halt the judgment’s enforcement, which led to the filing of the motion for a stay of execution.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, presided over by Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem and Justices Hamma Akawu Barka and Joseph O. Oyewole, has ordered that all parties maintain the status quo until the motion is decided on January 27, 2025. The court directed that no party should enforce or act on the judgment until the appeal is heard and determined.
