PDP Crisis: Why we wont honour Ikimi-led NDC invitation – Ortom, others

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and Senator Samuel Anyanwu have said they have not received any official invitation from the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite reports that they were summoned.

The Tom Ikimi-led NDC had earlier announced that Ortom, Anyanwu, and 10 others were to appear before the panel on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja. However, both politicians have confirmed that they are willing to appear once they receive proper notification.

The identities of the other 10 summoned party members have not been revealed, and both Ikimi and the committee’s secretary, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), have refused to give further details.

Since the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has been dealing with serious internal conflicts, with different factions blaming each other for working against the party’s interests. To resolve these issues, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) set up the disciplinary committee on August 21, 2024. But even after five months, the crisis has continued to grow.

One of the biggest problems facing the party is the fight over the National Secretary position, with Sunday Ude-Okoye and Senator Anyanwu both claiming the seat. While Ude-Okoye has the backing of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the matter is still unresolved.

Although Ikimi said the panel has received only five petitions, an insider in the NWC revealed that about 30 petitions have actually been submitted. The disciplinary committee has also made it clear that both the people who submitted complaints and those accused must appear before the panel.

Speaking through his media aide, Terver Akase, Ortom confirmed on Sunday that while he remains a loyal party member, he is yet to receive any official invitation.

“My principal is willing to appear before the panel, but the issue is that he is yet to be officially invited. As a law-abiding citizen and patriotic party man, he will honour the panel’s invitation once he receives it,” Akase said.

Similarly, Anyanwu told The PUNCH that he had not received any formal invitation but would attend the proceedings as soon as he was officially notified.

“I read it in the news. I have not received any invitation. But as a loyal and faithful party member, when I receive their letter, I will honour it,” he said.

An anonymous NWC member revealed that no invitations had been sent out yet and suggested that the PDP was prioritizing reconciliation over punitive measures.

“I am not sure if Anyanwu, Ortom, or any of the other unnamed 10 have been invited. Maybe they will send the invitations on Monday. But the PDP is more focused on reconciliation than on sanctions,” the source said.

“The NDC leaders know they cannot be too harsh on any member because we need unity. While they will discuss the petitions, they are more likely to recommend that some individuals apologise, issue warnings, and, at worst, face suspensions. Expulsion is unlikely, as we need more members, not fewer.”

Ikimi declined to comment, while Jegede, the NDC Secretary, stated that he was unsure whether invitations had been delivered.

“I will have to confirm if they have been served by courier service, as we can’t reach all of them physically,” Jegede said.