PDP Crisis Deepens as Ortom, Anyanwu Await Official Invitation for Disciplinary Panel Hearing

As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepens, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who were reportedly summoned by the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), have confirmed they have yet to receive any official invitation to appear before the panel.

The NDC, led by former Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Ikimi, had announced on Thursday that Ortom, Anyanwu, and 10 other unnamed party members were scheduled to appear before the committee on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja.

However, both Ortom and Anyanwu have stated that they have not received formal notifications for the hearing. Ortom, through his media aide Terver Akase, expressed his readiness to attend the panel but reiterated that he had not yet been officially invited. Akase emphasized that Ortom, as a loyal party member, would honor the committee’s summons once he receives it.

“I read about it in the news, but I have not received any invitation,” Anyanwu said. “When I get their letter, I will honor it, as I am a loyal party member.”

The NDC, which was established in August 2024 to handle complaints and recommend actions to the PDP’s National Executive Committee, has struggled with internal disputes since the 2023 presidential election. The party continues to be divided, with factions accusing each other of undermining its interests.

A major point of contention remains the position of National Secretary, with both former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu claiming the role. Ude-Okoye has the backing of the Board of Trustees, led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, and the PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.

Despite acknowledging receiving only five petitions, Ikimi and the committee’s secretary, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), have refused to disclose the identities of the 10 individuals summoned alongside Ortom and Anyanwu.

An anonymous NWC member revealed that the PDP had yet to send out invitations, and speculated that the party was prioritizing reconciliation rather than punitive actions. The source suggested that the NDC was likely to recommend apologies or suspensions for members involved in the crisis, but expulsion was considered unlikely as the party seeks to maintain unity.

Ikimi declined to comment on the situation, while Jegede said he would need to confirm whether the invitations had been dispatched by courier service.

As the PDP crisis intensifies, all eyes are on the upcoming hearings and how the party will navigate the ongoing internal conflicts.