PDP Wike Faction in Crisis Over Anyanwu Appeal

Crisis is deepening in the Nyesom Wike-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party as its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, heads to the Court of Appeal over his recommended expulsion.

Anyanwu filed the Notice of Appeal on April 10, barely days before the deadline expired. He is praying the appellate court to set aside the January 12 judgment of the Abuja High Court and annul the expulsion recommendation issued by the Chief Tom Ikimi-led National Disciplinary Committee for alleged anti-party activities.

NaijaChoice News reports that the judgment, which has neither been vacated nor stayed, has thrown the entire Wike camp into serious disquiet.

The anxiety stems from the fact that Anyanwu was among four top officials whose suspension was upheld by the Court of Appeal on March 9. The faction fears this could invalidate every step taken since November 2025.

Matters came to a head after the Wike-aligned group held its national convention at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on March 28 and 29. Delegates elected Abdulrahman Mohammed as national chairman, with Anyanwu retaining his position as national secretary through consensus.

Party insiders told NaijaChoice News they are worried because Anyanwu signed the letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission appointing Mohammed as acting national chairman while still under suspension. They fear this single act may jeopardise the convention, the new National Working Committee and the faction’s power to nominate candidates for future polls.

The Ikimi committee had recommended Anyanwu’s expulsion on March 10, 2025, after petitions from party members. The senator did not appear before the panel.

When Anyanwu challenged the recommendation at the FCT High Court in Suit No: CV/1050/2025, Justice Yusuf Halilu dismissed the case. The judge held that the disciplinary process followed due process and that Anyanwu failed to utilise the opportunity offered him to defend himself.

The court further ruled that intra-party disciplinary matters are not justiciable where the party’s constitution is not breached.

With the PDP still split between rival camps, the fresh legal battle is another blow to the main opposition party as it struggles to rebuild ahead of the 2027 general elections.