PDP Disciplinary Committee Clarifies Mandate, Defers Hearings for Atiku, Wike, Others
The National Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has clarified that its jurisdiction only covers individuals against whom formal petitions have been submitted, ruling out the possibility of a sweeping probe into past anti-party activities.
The committee’s chairman, Chief Tom Ikimi, made this known while addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday. He emphasized that the committee was not acting on media reports or public speculations but was solely focused on handling documented cases of party indiscipline that had been formally filed.
Clarification on Scope of Investigations
Chief Ikimi was responding to inquiries about whether the committee would be investigating high-profile party figures for alleged anti-party activities dating as far back as 2015.
Among those whose names have been linked to such activities include:
- Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar
- Ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki
- FCT Minister Nyesom Wike
These figures have been at the center of internal party disputes that many believe contributed to the PDP’s successive electoral losses from 2015 to 2023.
However, Ikimi stressed that the committee does not have the mandate to revisit past grievances unless a formal petition is submitted.
“Whether acts were committed against the party in 2015, 2019, 2020, or any other year, we can do nothing about them except there are petitions sent to this committee. This committee does not write petitions; we only attend to petitions that are sent to us,” he stated.
He further explained that without a formal complaint, the committee had no grounds to act, regardless of public sentiments or media reports.
“If there’s no petition against somebody, we are not going to do anything about it because that is not our business. I’m not out here to write petitions or deal with what is seen in newspapers.”
Pending Cases and Hearing Deferrals
The committee had scheduled hearings for two significant cases involving:
- Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the PDP’s embattled National Secretary.
- Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, along with ten others from the state.
However, both hearings had to be postponed due to separate reasons given by the concerned parties.
Ikimi revealed that:
- Senator Anyanwu had submitted a formal letter requesting a postponement due to health reasons. His letter was backed by a medical report from his hospital and his doctor.
- Samuel Ortom and others claimed they had not received the petitions filed against them, although the committee insists there is proof that the documents were delivered via courier.
Despite these claims, the committee has decided to defer the hearings until March 4, 2025, to allow for a fair process.
“We believe all will be well, and the committee is going to be fair to everyone,” Ikimi assured.
The Bigger Picture: PDP’s Internal Challenges
The PDP has struggled with internal divisions in recent years, with accusations of anti-party activities, defections, and factional conflicts weakening its electoral fortunes. The emergence of rival factions, particularly during the 2023 presidential elections, exposed deep-seated grievances within the party.
The ongoing disciplinary process is seen as an attempt to restore unity and instill a sense of accountability among members. However, political analysts suggest that resolving the crisis will require more than disciplinary measures; broader reconciliation efforts and strategic party reforms will be essential.
