As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party worsens, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who were reportedly summoned by the National Disciplinary Committee led by former Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Ikimi, have stated that they have yet to receive an official invitation.
However, both legislators stated that they are willing to come before the panel once they receive formal notification.
The NDC, lead by Ikimi, stated on Thursday that Ortom, Anyanwu, and ten other unnamed party members would testify before the committee on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja.
However, the identities of the remaining ten people remain unknown, with both Ikimi and the committee’s secretary, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), refusing to reveal any information.
Since the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has been riddled with internal disagreements, with sections accusing one another of sabotaging the party’s goals.
In response, on August 21, 2024, the PDP’s National Working Committee formed the disciplinary committee to handle complaints and make recommendations to the National Executive Committee.
However, over five months after its inception, the issue has worsened.
The job of National Secretary remains a source of dispute, with former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu both vying for the position.
The disagreement remains unresolved, despite Ude-Okoye’s support from the Board of Trustees, led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, and the PDP Governors’ Forum, commanded by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
Although Ikimi confirmed receiving only five petitions, an unidentified senior NWC member revealed that the committee received over 30 petitions.
The NDC stated that both petitioners and accused party members, together with their witnesses, would have to appear before the panel.
Ortom told his media aide, Terver Akase, on Sunday that he was ready to go before the panel as a committed party member, but had yet to get an official invitation.
“My principle is willing to attend before the panel; however, he has yet to be officially invited. As a law-abiding citizen and patriotic party member, he will accept the panel’s invitation when he receives it,” Akase stated.
Similarly, Anyanwu stated that he had not received a formal invitation but would attend the sessions whenever told.
“I came across it in the news.” There has been no invitation sent to me. However, I shall honour their letter as a sincere and devoted party member,” he stated.
No invites have been sent out yet, according to an unidentified NWC member, who also implied that the PDP was putting reconciliation ahead of punitive actions.
“I don’t know if Ortom, Anyanwu, or the other ten nameless people have received invitations. On Monday, they might send out the invitations. However, the insider stated that the PDP is more concerned with reconciliation than with penalties.
“The NDC leaders are aware that we must maintain unity, thus they cannot be overly critical of any individual. Although they will talk about the petitions, they are more likely to suggest that certain people issue warnings, apologise, and, in the worst case scenario, be suspended. Since we need more members, not fewer, expulsion is improbable.
Ikimi remained silent, and NDC Secretary Jegede said he did not know if invitations had been distributed.
Since we are unable to physically reach every one of them, Jegede stated, “I will have to confirm if they have been served by courier service.”
