Tensions Rise As PDP Summons Ortom, Anyanwu Over Deepening Party Rift

The committee’s chairman, Tom Ikimi, announced this in a statement on Thursday, confirming that the summoned individuals are to appear before the committee on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja.

Since the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has been plagued by internal strife, with factions accusing each other of undermining the party’s interests. These disputes have intensified demands for disciplinary action against those deemed responsible for the party’s instability.

In response to these issues, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) established the Disciplinary Committee on August 21, 2024, tasked with receiving petitions, investigating allegations, and recommending sanctions to the National Executive Committee (NEC). However, nearly five months later, the leadership crisis within the party has only worsened.

A major source of the conflict is the ongoing dispute between former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, both of whom claim to be the rightful National Secretary. Despite endorsements from the Board of Trustees (BoT), led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, and the Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the crisis remains unresolved.

Committee Reviews Five Petitions

According to Ikimi, the PDP Disciplinary Committee has reviewed five petitions, leading to the decision to summon Ortom, Anyanwu, and others. In a statement to journalists, the committee noted that while some petitions against top NWC members were deferred to avoid interfering with reconciliation efforts, the cases involving Ortom, Anyanwu, and ten others will proceed.

“The National Disciplinary Committee considered five petitions received so far and, following a detailed review, decided that the first set of petitions against key NWC members would be stepped down to avoid jeopardizing the ongoing reconciliation efforts by the Governors’ Forum and BoT,” the statement read.

The second set of petitions, involving Samuel Ortom and Senator Anyanwu, will be addressed at the scheduled hearing on February 12, 2025.

The statement further noted:
“Accordingly, the National Disciplinary Committee resolved to invite the affected persons to appear before the committee on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja. The petitioners and their witnesses, as well as the implicated party members and their witnesses, are expected to attend. The necessary notices have been issued.”

Ikimi reaffirmed the committee’s dedication to restoring discipline within the PDP, urging members to follow established protocols when addressing grievances.

“The National Disciplinary Committee is a constitutionally established body mandated to uphold discipline in the party. We encourage all members with legitimate concerns to utilize this platform rather than engaging in actions that could further destabilize the party,” Ikimi concluded.