Nigeria’s Supreme Court Monday dismissed an application filed by Nyesom Wike’s ally, Samuel Anyanwu who sought for stay of execution of the Court of Appeal that earlier removed him as the National Secretary of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Feeling that the judgment was going to turn against Anyanwu, his legal team opted for withdrawal of the appeal and the apex Court finally struck out the case.

Justice Musa Awani Aba-Aji who presided over the matter dismissed the aapplication after a request from Kingsley Njemanze, SAN, who represented Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

This means that the concurrent of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal removing Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party have been upheld.
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Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s five-man panel, led by Justice Aba-Aji, is continuing with the substantive hearing on the case.

The Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, had in December 2024 affirmed the Federal High Court’s decision, which declared Chief Sunday Ude-Okoye as the rightful National Secretary of the PDP.

In its lead judgment, delivered by Justice Ridwan Abdullahi, the appellate court ruled that Anyanwu’s appeal lacked merit, emphasizing that he had violated the PDP constitution by simultaneously claiming the national secretary position while contesting as the party’s governorship candidate in the 2024 Imo State election.

Following his removal by the lower courts, Anyanwu had approached the Supreme Court in February, urging it to overturn the judgments and recognize him as the authentic National Secretary of the PDP.

He also filed motions for accelerated hearing and an abridgment of time, citing the crucial role of the office in the party’s leadership.

The Pro-Wike lawmakers led by the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule described invitation of lawmakers for meeting by the governor through social media as a disrespect for the state legislators.

The group said the proposed meeting with the governor which was scheduled for Monday should have been properly channelled, even as the group claimed that they heard of the meeting through social media.

The reaction followed a letter of invitation issued by the Rivers State Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr Tammy Danagogo on Sunday for a meeting with the governor at the Government House, on Monday (today).

According to the contents of the letter, the meeting scheduled for 10.00am was expected to address key issues, including the provision of sitting space for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 budget.

CAPITAL POST could not confirm if the 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the former governor, Nyesom Wike, will honour the meeting, sice they have set a condition for the governor.

One of the lawmakers, Isaiah Opuende who represents Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, condemned Fubara’s choice of inviting them through the social media.

Making mockery of Governor Fubara, Opuende wondered why the governor would invite them for a meeting after he has severally told them to “dey their dey.”

He stated, “It is time for us to determine our dey. When the ‘dey your dey’ started, our principal said the time for our own ‘dey your dey’ will come. Now, our ‘dey your dey’ has come.

“Dey your dey make we dey our dey. How can you wire a letter and post it on social media and expect us to honour it? You know we are not kids. The governor should properly write to the Assembly. That’s all. Thank you.”

As at Sunday, the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara may have bowed to pressure as the Secretary to the State Government extended an invitation to the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers for a meeting scheduled for Monday at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

In a letter signed by the Secretary to State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo which was released to the press on Sunday, titled: “Meeting Between the Governor of Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly”, was expected to discuss peace in the interest of the State.

The SSG in the letter acknowledged that Governor Fubara’ was in receipt of a Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment reinstating the embattled lawmakers, hence, the need to chart a way forward.

The letter stated that discussions would focus on providing a space for the lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to hold their sittings, as well as the presentation of the 2025 budget, among other matters.

The statement read: “I hereby write, in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5 March 2025, to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court judgement and has therefore directed me to invite you and your colleagues — the Honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly — to a meeting to discuss:

“Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings, payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the Honourable members;.

“Presentation of Budget and sundry matters. Any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the State.

“Sequel to the above, I hereby humbly invite the Rt. Hon. Speaker and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting with the Governor as follows:”

According to the statement, the meeting will take place at 10 am on Monday at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

“Many thanks, Sir, as we look forward to your kind attendance with a view to charting the way forward in the interest of the good people of Rivers State,” the letter concluded.