PDP Crisis: Panel Invites Anyanwu, Ortom For Questioning

The ousted National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the immediate past governor of Benue State, Mr Samuel Ortom and 10 unnamed members of the PDP have been invited for questioning.

They are to appear before the party’s Disciplinary Committee on February 12 to respond to petitions filed against them by some aggrieved party stakeholders.

Chairman of the committee, Chief Tom Ikimi, in a statement on Thursday, said the invitees are expected to report at the PDP national campaign office, Legacy House, Maitama Abuja.

Ikimi’s statement said, “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 jeopardise 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 National Disciplinary Committee is committed to ensuring discipline within the party and restoring the integrity of the Party.”

Ikimi added that the committee is a constitutionally established one that is available to deal with matters brought before it fairly. He enjoined party members with genuine grievances against fellow party men or women to freely approach the committee with their complaints.

Party sources, however, have expressed reservations over the invitation extended to Anyanwu and Ortom who key loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Their reservations stemmed from the fact that the Ikimi committee has been a dormant one, which has remained inactive for a long period of time.

A source at the PDP secretariat who spoke with this reporter on Thursday, said he would refrain from ascribing ulterior motives to what he described as the committee’s sudden awakening.

“I find it quite amusing that this committee that has been sleeping for ages has suddenly woken up to its responsibilities. I just hope it’s not what I am thinking”, the source, who did not want his name in print, said dismissively.