6 Months After, PDP Committee Summons Anyanwu, Ortom, Others

Six months after its formation, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Disciplinary Committee has summoned former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and others to answer questions on alleged acts of indiscipline.

The committee, chaired by former minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, declared that those invited are required to appear before it on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja.

The summons came barely 24 hours after Anyanwu rejected the recognition of Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye as national secretary of PDP by the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party.

But when contacted by LEADERSHIP over the invitation, Anyanwu in a terse message said, “I have not been officially informed.”

The PDP National Working Committee had set up the committee in August last year to allow party members file complaints, hear both sides and make recommendations to the National Executive Committee.

The internal crisis that rocked PDP before of the 2023 election, assumed various dimension, including the tussle for control of Rivers State PDP, agitations for the ouster of the acting national chairman, Illiya Damagum, a split within the NWC, and lately the battle for the national secretary position between Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye.

However, the committee said it 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.”

The committee said it 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.”