Ortom, Anyanwu Break Silence On PDP Crisis—Awaiting Summons But Prepared For Showdown

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and Samuel Anyanwu disclosed that they have not yet received formal summons from the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).

Despite the lack of official notification, both politicians expressed their readiness to appear before the panel once formally invited.

The NDC, chaired by former Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Ikimi, announced on Thursday that Ortom, Anyanwu, and 10 other unnamed party members were expected to appear before the committee on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja.

However, the names of the other 10 members remain undisclosed, with both Ikimi and the committee’s secretary, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), declining to reveal further details.

Since the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has been grappling with internal strife, with various factions accusing each other of undermining the party’s unity and interests.

In a bid to resolve these conflicts, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) set up the disciplinary committee on August 21, 2024, tasked with reviewing complaints and recommending disciplinary actions to the National Executive Committee (NEC).

However, nearly five months later, the infighting has only escalated.

At the heart of the turmoil is the contested position of National Secretary. Both Sunday Ude-Okoye, former National Youth Leader, and Samuel Anyanwu are laying claim to the role, deepening divisions within the party.

Ude-Okoye is backed by the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), chaired by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, and the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, but the leadership dispute remains unresolved.

While Ikimi confirmed that the NDC has received only five petitions, a senior NWC member, speaking anonymously, revealed that approximately 30 petitions had been submitted.

The disciplinary committee emphasized that all petitioners, accused members, and their witnesses would be required to appear before the panel.

Ortom Reacts: No Official Summons Yet

Speaking through his media aide, Terver Akase, Ortom stated on Sunday that although he remains a committed PDP member, he has yet to receive an official invitation.

“My principal is prepared to appear before the panel, but the issue is that he has not been formally invited. As a law-abiding citizen and loyal party member, he will honour the panel’s invitation once it is received,” Akase said.