Anyanwu, Ortom absent at PDP disciplinary panel

• Ex-Benue gov demands apology

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

Embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday, failed to appear before the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).

Tom Ikimi, in a statement, last week, said Anyanwu and the former Benue governor, had been summoned by the NDC to appear before it, yesterday, to respond to petitions against them.

However, the former Minister, while addressing journalists in Abuja, yesterday, said the committee had correspondence from the two party leaders on why they could not appear before it yesterday.

According to him, while Anyanwu, in a letter to the panel, said he was indisposed, Ortom said he did not receive the invitation to appear before the NDC.

Consequently, he disclosed that the panel had adjourned to March 4 to enable Anyanwu and the former Benue Governor to appear before it.

Ikimi said: “Two petitions were slated for hearing today. One petition was against the National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and the other was against some members of the party from Benue State, including the former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom and 10 others.

“We are prepared to hear the petitions today. Petitions were served to these people directly and through DHL and we have evidence that these petitions arrived at their destinations. However, we couldn’t proceed today because we received correspondence from the two people we are supposed to meet.

“Anyanwu sent a letter to us indicating that he was not well, that he had medical challenges and he had medical appointments for today. He backed that up with a letter from his hospital and his doctors. So, he  asked for another date.

“In the case of Ortom and others, they claimed that they did not receive the petitions, which were sent to them. But, the petitions were sent and we have evidence that they were sent to them.

“However, the committee has met and because we believe that we should give everyone fair hearing and we should not ignore issues like health challenges, we have decided to defer the hearing for another two to three three weeks.”

The  Ikimi-led 26-man disciplinary committee was inaugurated last August, to among others treat cases of alleged anti-party activities, in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, and other alleged infractions by party members.

Meanwhile, former Benue governor, in a letter to Ikimi by his lawyer, C.T Mue, demanded for a written apology from the disciplinary committee for allegedly exposing him to ridicule.

According to Ortom, the statement by the committee inviting him to appear before it over petitions against him caused harm to his reputation.”

The letter read in part: “This public notice has caused reputational harm and violates fundamental principles as enshrined in Section 57 of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended) and Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 thus: Violation of Section 57(4); Section 57(4) of the PDP Constitution mandates that where an allegation is made against a member, the disciplinary committee must inform the member in writing about the allegations against him and the date, time and venue of the hearing.

“Despite this clear provision, our client was not formally notified of any allegations in writing before the Press Release was issued. This constitutes a gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution.

“Violation of Section 57(7); Section 57(7) of the PDP Constitution clearly states that no executive committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee (NEC), shall entertain any question of discipline relating to members of the national executive committee, deputy governors, or members of the National Assembly.

“Our client falls under these categories. Thus, the National Disciplinary Committee lacks the jurisdiction to entertain any disciplinary action against them, making the purported inquiry procedurally defective and unconstitutional.

“The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, in Section 24(1)(b), criminalises the intentional transmission of false or misleading information that causes annoyance, inconvenience or damage to a person’s reputation.

“The premature publication of allegations against our client, without being duly informed, as provided by Section 57(4) of the Constitution of PDP 2017 (as amended), has led to public ridicule and reputational harm.

“In light of the above, we hereby Demand as follows: That the National Disciplinary Committee immediately withdraw the press release issued on February 5, 2025. That a written apology be issued to our client within 48 hours of receiving this notice.

“That the National Disciplinary Committee ceases and desists from further public commentary on our clients’ matter until they have been formally notified of any allegations and given an opportunity to respond.

“Failure to comply with these demands within 48 hours from receipt of this letter will leave our client with no choice but to seek redress in a court of law, including instituting a defamation lawsuit and petitioning law enforcement agencies for violations of the Cybercrimes Act 2015.”