Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and Senator Samuel Anyanwu have stated that they have not received any official invitation from the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The committee, led by former Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Ikimi, had reportedly summoned them alongside ten other unnamed party members.
The NDC announced that the summoned individuals were expected to appear before the panel on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja. However, the identities of the other ten members remain undisclosed. When contacted, both Ikimi and the committee’s secretary, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), refused to provide details.
Since the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has been facing internal conflicts, with different factions accusing each other of harming the party’s unity. To address these issues, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) set up the disciplinary panel on August 21, 2024, to investigate complaints and recommend actions to the National Executive Committee (NEC). However, despite its formation, tensions within the party have continued to rise.
One of the major issues fueling the crisis is the position of National Secretary, which is being contested by former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu. While Ude-Okoye has the support of the PDP Governors’ Forum and the Board of Trustees, Anyanwu has refused to step down, leading to further divisions.
Although the committee has officially acknowledged receiving only five petitions, an anonymous NWC member disclosed that around 30 petitions had been submitted. The NDC had earlier clarified that both petitioners and accused members, along with their witnesses, would be required to appear before the panel.
In response to the reports, Ortom, through his media aide, Terver Akase, stated on Sunday that while he was willing to appear before the panel as a loyal party member, he had yet to receive any official invitation.
“My principal is willing to appear before the panel, but the issue is that he is yet to be officially invited. As a law-abiding citizen and patriotic party man, he will honour the panel’s invitation once he receives it,” Akase said.
Similarly, Anyanwu confirmed that he had not received any invitation but assured that he would attend if officially notified.
“I read it in the news. I have not received any invitation. But as a loyal and faithful party member, when I receive their letter, I will honour it,” he said.
