The former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, and the embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, on Wednesday, shunned the Tom Ikimi-led disciplinary committee of the party.
While the committee waited for over three hours for their appearance, it later rescheduled the hearing to March 4, 2025, citing the need for fair hearing.
Disciplinary Committee: We Sent Invitations Through Courier
Chairman of the disciplinary committee, Chief Tom Ikimi, told journalists that invitations were sent to both Ortom and Anyanwu through DHL courier service, with evidence of receipt. However, Ortom denied receiving the invitation.
> “We sent the invitations through DHL, and we have evidence that they received them. But in Ortom’s case, they said it was not received. So, we are giving them another opportunity by resending the invitation.”
For Anyanwu, the committee stated that he cited health challenges and presented a doctor’s report confirming a medical appointment on the scheduled day.
Ortom Demands Apology, Threatens Legal Action
In a swift response, Ortom issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the committee, demanding a public apology for allegedly defaming him.
Through his lawyer, C. T. Mue, Ortom accused the committee of violating the PDP Constitution by making public statements on allegations without first notifying him.
> “The premature publication of allegations against our client, without being duly informed, as provided by Section 57(4) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), has led to public ridicule and reputational harm.”
Citing Section 57(7) of the PDP Constitution, Ortom argued that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) has the authority to discipline a former governor or NEC member, rendering the disciplinary committee’s actions procedurally defective and unconstitutional.
Ortom’s demands include:
1. Immediate withdrawal of the committee’s press statement issued on February 5, 2025.
2. A written apology within 48 hours of receiving the letter.
3. Cessation of public commentary on the matter until formal notification of any allegations.
Failure to comply, the letter warned, would lead to legal action, including a defamation lawsuit and a petition under the Cybercrimes Act 2015.
Committee Justifies Disciplinary Actions
Defending its mandate, Ikimi clarified that the committee only acts on petitions received and does not initiate disciplinary cases independently.
> “This committee does not write petitions; we only attend to petitions sent to us. If there’s no petition against someone, we do nothing about it. We are not here to act on newspaper reports.”
On the issue of Anyanwu’s status as National Secretary, Ikimi maintained that the petition was sent to him in that capacity, and the committee would proceed accordingly unless officially informed otherwise.
With the hearing rescheduled for March 4, the PDP’s internal crisis appears far from over, as key figures in the party continue to
challenge the legitimacy of the disciplinary process.
