By John Audu, Abuja, Nigeria.
As the internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensifies, prominent figures like former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and Senator Samuel Anyanwu have stated they are yet to receive official invitations to appear before the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), despite public announcements of their summons.
The Ikimi-led NDC announced last Thursday that Ortom, Anyanwu, and ten other unnamed party members were expected to appear before the committee on Wednesday, February 12th, at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja. However, the identities of the remaining ten individuals remain undisclosed, with both committee chairman Tom Ikimi and secretary Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) declining to comment further.
The PDP has been grappling with internal strife since the 2023 presidential election, with various factions trading accusations. The NDC was established by the National Working Committee (NWC) in August 2024 to address these issues, but the situation appears to be escalating. A key point of contention remains the National Secretary position, with both Sunday Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu claiming the role, further dividing the party.
While Ikimi has acknowledged receiving only five petitions, an anonymous senior NWC member indicated that the committee has received approximately 30. The NDC has stated that both petitioners and accused individuals, along with their witnesses, will be required to appear before the panel.
Ortom, speaking through his media aide Terver Akase, reiterated his willingness to cooperate with the committee but emphasized that he has not yet received a formal invitation. “My principal is willing to appear before the panel, but the issue is that he is yet to be officially invited,” Akase stated. Anyanwu echoed this sentiment, confirming he had only learned of the summons through media reports. “I have not received any invitation. But as a loyal and faithful party member, when I receive their letter, I will honour it,” Anyanwu told The PUNCH.
An anonymous NWC member suggested that invitations may not have been sent yet and hinted at a focus on reconciliation rather than punitive measures. “The PDP is more focused on reconciliation than on sanctions,” the source stated, adding that while the committee will address the petitions, they are more likely to recommend apologies, warnings, or at worst, suspensions, with expulsions considered unlikely.
When contacted for comment, Ikimi declined, while Jegede stated he was unsure if invitations had been delivered, suggesting they may have been sent by courier service. The uncertainty surrounding the summons and the high number of petitions underscore the depth of the crisis within the PDP as the party struggles to find common ground.
