As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party deepens, the party’s National Disciplinary Committee, chaired by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Ikimi, has summoned former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and others.
In a statement shared with journalists on Thursday, Ikimi announced that those invited are required to appear before the Committee on Wednesday, 12th February 2025, at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja.
Since and following the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has been grappling with internal conflict.
Some members have accused others of undermining the party’s interests and have called for disciplinary actions against those responsible.
In response, the PDP National Working Committee set up a disciplinary committee on August 21 to allow members to file complaints, hear both sides and make recommendations to the National Executive Committee.
However, nearly five months after the committee’s creation, the crisis has worsened, with former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu both claiming the position of National Secretary.
Despite the endorsement of Ude-Okoye by the Board of Trustees, led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, and the Governors Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the crisis persists.
This ongoing conflict continues to damage the party’s image and influence nationwide.
Ikimi revealed that the PDP NDC has reviewed five petitions that have been submitted so far.
The statement read “The National Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic party met on Wednesday, 5th February 2025 at the Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja in line with its mandate pursuant to Section 57(1) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as amended in 2017) relating to Party discipline.
“The National Disciplinary Committee considered five (5) petitions received so far; and following a detailed review of the petitions, noted that the first set of petitions were against some key members of the National Working Committee (NWC). The Committee came to the conclusion that in order not to jeopardize the ongoing reconciliatory efforts of the Governors’ Forum and the Board of Trustees, took a decision to step down those three (3) of the petitions against the top NWC members.
“The second set of petitions which were set down for enquiry are those against former Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Dr. Samuel Ortom and 10 others and the petition against Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
“Accordingly, The National Disciplinary Committee resolved to invite the affected persons to appear before the Committee on Wednesday, 12th February 2025 at the Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja. Those expected to attend are the Petitioners and their witnesses on the one hand and the affected party members and their witnesses on the other hand. The required notices have been issued out accordingly.”
Ikimi guaranteed that the National Disciplinary Committee is dedicated to maintaining discipline within the Party and reinstating its integrity.
It read in part, “The Committee reiterates that the National Disciplinary Committee is a constitutionally established Committee that is available to deal with matters brought before it fairly. Therefore, all those with genuine grievances against any member of the Party should take advantage of this Standing Committee and follow due process in bringing up their complaints.”
