PDP CRISIS: WIKE’S CAMP KICK AS IKIMI PANEL RECOMMENDS ANYANWU’S EXPULSION
PDP CRISIS: WIKE CAMP KICKS AS IKIMI PANEL RECOMMENDS ANYANWU’S EXPULSION As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party intensifies, the National Disciplinary Committee, headed by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Ikimi, has recommended the expulsion of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike’s loyalist, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, from the party. In a letter signed by Ikimi on March 10 and received by office of the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on March 11, which was exclusively obtained by The PUNCH, the NDC revealed that despite being given the opportunity, Anyanwu failed to deny or defend himself against the petition filed by the Young Generation Caucus. Ikimi committee stated that “Having listened to the petitioners and the evidence led, including the oral testimonies of Hon. Afolabi Adekanbi and Dr. Alex Adum, we find that the respondent, Senator Samuel Anyawu, was engaged in anti-party activities contrary to the provisions of Article 58 (1)(f) of the PDP Constitution 2017 and conduct likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the party contrary to provisions of Article 58(1)(h) of the PDP Constitution 2017, by inviting security agents and other persons and thugs to interfere in the ordinary business of the party at the Headquarters of the party, at Wadata Plaza, Plot 1970, Michael Opara Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja., particularly 29th January and 1st February 2025. “The NDC recommends to the National Executive Committee of the PDP as follows: Expulsion of the Respondent i.e. Senator Samuel Anyawu, as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.” Recall that on February 6, the NDC, led by Ikimi, released a statement calling on former Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, Anyanwu, and 10 other individuals to appear before the committee on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja. The NDC’s proceedings have remained private, and the names of the other 10 invitees have not been disclosed. Efforts by The PUNCH to obtain their identities from Ikimi and the committee’ secretary, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), were unsuccessful, as both denied knowing the individuals’ names and offered no further details. Since the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has faced internal conflicts, with accusations from members of undermining the party’s interests and calls for disciplinary action. In response, the PDP NWC established a disciplinary committee on August 21 to handle complaints, hear both sides, and make recommendations to the National Executive Committee. However, nearly five months later, the crisis has escalated, with former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu both claiming the position of National Secretary. Despite Ude-Okoye’s support from the Board of Trustees, led by former Senate President Adulphus Wabara, and the Governors Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the dispute, which worsened after zonal congresses in the South South, North East, and South East, remains unresolved, continuing to harm the party’s reputation and influence. Ortom, who raised legal concerns about the legitimacy of the petitioners, Anyanwu, who cited medical reasons, and the other 10 invitees did not attend the NDC meeting on February 12. Despite receiving invitations, both Ortom and Anyanwu, along with the others, also on March 4th failed to show up for the committee’s meeting at the Legacy House in Maitama on Tuesday. In the letter, Ikimi’s committee stated that the National Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party convened on February 12, 2025, and March 4, 2025, to review the petition against Senator Samuel Anyanwu, which was filed by Hon. Afolabi Adekanbi and Barr. Bashir Alaaya, both members of the PDP Young Generation Caucus. In its findings, Ikimi’s committee explained that on February 3, 2025, Adekanbi, as National President of the Young Generation Caucus and a prominent member of the PDP, along with Adama, submitted…
Dons Eze
