1 week ago
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The crisis rocking the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seems far from abating as party leaders continually differ on the modus operandi to achieving lasting peace.
In specific terms, some party chieftains invited to clear their names over alleged unruly conduct, refused to appear before the disciplinary committee, with one of them even threatening legal action against the Tom Ikimi-led panel.
The development is coming less than forty-eight hours after Senator Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was purportedly suspended by the Abia state working committee of the party.
Although the party’s national leadership rejected the suspension of Wabara via a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, some hours ago, the internal wrangling and ensuing fracas plaguing the party across board, is, however, far from over.
Also, the coast is still not clear on who the authentic national secretary of the party is between Senator Sameul Anyanwu and another claimant, S.K.E Udeh-Okoye, as both, including their supporters keep hanging on various judicial pronouncements to further fester the crisis within the party.
…Disciplinary c’ttee
The Ikimi-led panel, it would be recalled had invited former Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom, the controversial national secretary, Senator Anyanwu, and some unidentified party members to appear before it at the Legacy House Maitama, Abuja, to clear their names with regards to petitions written against them.
But despite receiving the committee’s invitation letter, Anyanwu and a host of others refused to present themselves for questioning.
While Anyanwu cited medical reasons, it is still unclear why other invited party leaders failed to attend.
In a statement made available to Blueprint Wednesday, Ortom, who was also invited by the panel, defiantly said he would not attend.
Ortom’s Special Adviser on Media, Nathaniel Ikyur, confirmed that the former governor had not received an official invitation letter, adding that Ortom would not attend the panel as he was merely notified via social media.
Ortom, who wrote through his lawyer, Mr. C.T. Mue, threatened to sue the PDP disciplinary committee over alleged violation of the party’s constitution and the cybercrime act.
In a letter addressed to the committee dated February 11, 2025, Mue also demanded a written apology and withdrawal of statements made against the former governor within 48 hours.
It reads: “We act as legal representatives to His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom, on whose behalf we write this formal demand. Our attention has been drawn to the Press Release issued by the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dated 5th February 2025, which publicly announced an inquiry into alleged Petitions against Our Client. 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
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