The National Disciplinary Committee of the People’s Democratic Party, led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Ikimi received about 30 petitions against party leaders from the National Working Committee.

Although Ikimi announced only five petitions on Thursday, a senior NWC member, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, stated that the party leadership had handed over around 30 petitions to the NDC.

Ikimi’s led NDC has summoned former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and others.

In a statement shared with journalists on Thursday, Ikimi announced that those invited are required to appear before the Committee on Wednesday, 12th February at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja.

Recall that since and following the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has been grappling with internal conflict.

Some members have accused others of undermining the party’s interests and have called for disciplinary actions against those responsible.

In response, the PDP National Working Committee set up a disciplinary committee on August 21, 2024 to allow members to file complaints, hear both sides, and make recommendations to the National Executive Committee.

However, nearly five months after the committee’s creation, the crisis has worsened, with former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu both claiming the position of National Secretary.

Despite the endorsement of Ude-Okoye by the Board of Trustees, led by former Senate President Adulphus Wabara, and the Governors Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the crisis persists.

This ongoing conflict continues to damage the party’s image and influence nationwide.

Ikimi revealed that the PDP NDC had reviewed five petitions that have been submitted so far.

The statement read “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.”

Ikimi guaranteed that the National Disciplinary Committee is dedicated to maintaining discipline within the Party and reinstating its integrity.

It read in part “The Committee reiterates that the National Disciplinary Committee is a constitutionally established Committee that is available to deal with matters brought before it fairly. Therefore, all those with genuine grievances against any member of the Party should take advantage of this Standing Committee and follow due process in bringing up their complaints.”

In response to The PUNCH inquiry, the credible source alleged that Ikimi’s committee had an ulterior motive in carrying out the assignment.

He stated “How can the Disciplinary Committee say they received five petitions when we handed over so many petitions to them?

“The NWC has handed about 30 petitions to the Committee. Almost all the states submitted petitions to the NWC, and they were handed over to the committee. Maybe Ikimi’s committee has an agenda, but the petitions are more than five.”

He explained that “Ortom was invited over a petition that came from (Gabriel) Suswam and others in Benue, while the former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, who was recently recognised by the Board of Trustees and the Governors Forum, petitioned Senator Samuel Anyanwu, alleging that he was assaulted.”

When contacted to inquire about the names of the other 10 members invited to the committee, the secretary, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, stated that he did not have the details of the additional 10 petitions.