The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has moved to enforce its earlier ruling in the deepening crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, issuing a notice warning of possible imprisonment for the party’s embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan.
The notice, known as Form 48 and dated April 20, 2026, cautioned the duo against disobeying the court’s January 12 judgment which dismissed Anyanwu’s suit challenging his expulsion from the PDP.
According to the court document obtained on Tuesday, failure to comply with the ruling could result in contempt proceedings and possible jail terms.
“Take notice that unless you comply with the judgment… you will be guilty of contempt and liable to be committed to prison,” the notice read.
The development marks a fresh twist in the prolonged leadership battle within the opposition party, which has split into rival factions with parallel structures and court cases.
While one camp is aligned with Tanimu Turaki and backed by governors including Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, another faction enjoys the support of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The court action stems from Suit No. CV/1050/2025, in which Justice Yusuf Halilu dismissed Anyanwu’s case and upheld his expulsion over alleged anti-party activities.
Despite the ruling, Anyanwu proceeded to file an appeal on April 10, 2026, and has continued to act as national secretary, a position reportedly recognised by INEC following a rival convention held in Abuja in March.
However, the Turaki-led faction, through its counsel, Abdullahi Ibrahim, has insisted that the court judgment remains binding, arguing that the appeal does not invalidate or suspend its enforcement.
In a strongly worded letter to INEC dated April 16, the group demanded the immediate withdrawal of recognition of Anyanwu, maintaining that he ceased to be a member of the party upon his expulsion.
The faction further warned that it may initiate contempt proceedings against the INEC chairman if the commission fails to comply with the subsisting judgment.
The PDP has been engulfed in internal strife since a controversial convention in Ibadan last year, with multiple court cases and counter-claims worsening divisions within the party ahead of future elections.