The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has clarified why former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has not faced sanctions for alleged anti-party activities, insisting that no action can be taken without a formal petition backed with evidence.

PDP’s Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barrister Okechukwu Osuoha, made this known in Abuja, stressing that although a disciplinary committee exists, no member has been punished because no official petitions have been filed.

Osuoha explained, “At our NEC meeting, we set up a disciplinary committee headed by Chief Tom Ikimi, an elder statesman, with Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as secretary. They were mandated to address any infraction or anti-party activity by any member of the party, no matter their position, and to bring such persons to book.

“But up until today, no one has been prosecuted or sanctioned. People often ask me specifically about the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, why don’t we discipline him, why don’t we take action? I tell them it is not enough to merely say someone has committed an offence. A formal petition has to be submitted to the disciplinary committee.”

The PDP legal officer emphasised that petitioners must be prepared to provide proof and testify when the accused is summoned.

He further stated, “When that petition is written and presented, the petitioner must also be ready to come and testify. If the person accused is invited, you must come with your evidence. It is not enough to make general allegations.”

Osuoha further argued that the challenge of taking disciplinary cases to a conclusive end was not unique to the PDP but reflected wider systemic issues in Nigeria.

“This is the same problem with our wider Nigerian system. It is not just about pointing out anomalies; the challenge is following them up to a conclusion,” he said.