PDP National Disciplinary Committee: Retract Statement Against Me Or Face Legal Action – Ortom

MAKURDI – Immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom has advised the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Chief Tom Ikimi, to retract the press statement it issued inviting him to appear before the Committee, or face legal action.

In the letter sighted by Daily Independent, Ortom who noted that he was compelled to write the Committee for a retraction, cited several violations of the party’s constitution by the Ikimi led disciplinary committee.

According to Barrister Clement Mue, the Legal Counsel to the former governor who wrote the Committee on behalf of Chief Ortom, said he was giving the Committee 48 hours to apologize and also retract the statement.

Other demands were that the PDP National Disciplinary Committee should ensure the immediate withdrawal of the February 5th press release and stop further public commentary on the matter until the proper procedure was followed.

He stressed that his client (Chief Ortom) was not informed in writing about any allegations prior to the public announcement, which is a clear breach of Section 57(4) of the PDP Constitution that requires such notification.

The letter which was dated 10th February, 2025, warned that failure of the Committee to comply with the aforementioned demands could result in legal action, including a defamation lawsuit and a petition to law enforcement authorities for violations of the Cybercrimes Act.

Furthermore, in the letter which outlined other significant violations of both the PDP Constitution and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, Mue, argued that the NDC lacks the jurisdiction to take disciplinary action against Chief Ortom, citing Section 57(7) of the PDP Constitution.

He said, “This section specifies that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) can address disciplinary matters involving members of the NEC, Deputy Governors, and National Assembly members.

Additionally, Mue pointed to Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, which prohibits the dissemination of false or misleading information that damages an individual’s reputation.

The counsel emphasized that the premature release of allegations against his client has led to public ridicule and significant reputational harm.

He pointed out that the press release that announced the inquiry into the alleged petitions against Chief Ortom, raised concerns over “procedural fairness and potential reputational harm.” End.