The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis yesterday escalated as some aggrieved chieftains said they would not appear before the Disciplinary Committee chaired by Chief Tom Ikimi.
Also, the decision of the Board of Trustees (BoT) to recognise Sunday Udeh-Okoye as national secretary has generated controversy.
Southeast stakeholders rejected the BoT position and threw their weight behind Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Although Anyanwu, who is currently National Secretary, and former Benue State Governor Sam Ortom have been summoned to appear before the Ikimi panel, sources said the duo may not appear.
Ortom said he was yet to receive the invitation letter from the panel, adding that he cannot respond to summons on the social media.
The PDP had simultaneously set up the disciplinary committee and the reconciliation panel chaired by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola
The Ikimi panel, which is mandated to investigate anti-party activities, has relocated its sittings from the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja to the Legacy House in Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).
A statement by Ikimi said those summoned by the panel are to appear on February 12.
It reads: “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 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 jeopardise the ongoing reconciliatory efforts of the Governors’ Forum and the Board of Trustees, took a decision to step down those three 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, Dr. Samuel Ortom, and 10 others and the petition against Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Accordingly, the 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 statement added: “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.”
