Ortom demands apology
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Disciplinary Committee, led by Chief Tom Ikimi, has rescheduled its sitting to March 4. The rescheduling followed the absence of two key persons, the controversial National Secretary of the party, Sam Anyanwu, and a former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.
After waiting for three hours, the disciplinary committee told journalists it decided to reschedule its sitting for fair hearing. According to Ikimi, the committee sent invitations through courier service, particularly DHL, to the two persons.
“We sent the invitations through DHL and we have evidence that they received them. But in the case of Ortom, they said it was not received. So, we are giving them another opportunity by resending the invitation.” On Anyanwu, the committee disclosed that he complained about not being well and added that yesterday was his medical appointment.
Meanwhile, Ortom has asked the Ikimi-led disciplinary committee to tender public apology to him for allegedly violating his fundamental rights in breach of the party’s constitution.
In a letter signed by his lawyer, C.T. Mue, Ortom cited many sections of the constitution of the PDP, which he said were violated by the Disciplinary Committee.
“The premature publication of allegations against our client, without being duly informed, as provided by Section 57(4) of the constitution of PDP 2017 (as amended), has led to public ridicule and reputational harm,” the letter read. Ortom said he was never notified of any allegations before a public statement was made by the Disciplinary Committee against him.
“Despite this clear provision, our client was neither formally notified of any allegations in writing before the press release was issued. This constitutes a gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution,” he stressed.
Ortom said: “Section 57(7) clearly states that no executive committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee (NEC), shall entertain any question of discipline relating to members of the National Executive Committee, deputy governors, or members of the National Assembly.”
Thus, he claimed the National Disciplinary Committee lacked the jurisdiction to entertain any disciplinary action against them, making the purported inquiry procedurally defective and unconstitutional.”
The letter further reads: “We demand that the National Disciplinary Committee immediately withdraws the Press Release issued on 5th February 2025.
“That a written apology be issued to our client within 48 hours of receiving this notice.
“That the National Disciplinary Committee ceases and desists from further public commentary on our clients’ matter until they have been formally notified of any allegations and given an opportunity to respond.
“Failure to comply with these demands within 48 hours from receipt of this letter will leave our client with no choice but to seek redress in a court of law, including instituting a defamation lawsuit and petitioning law enforcement agencies.”
MEANWHILE, the Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said, yesterday, the persons that petitioned the national leadership of the party against former Governor Samuel Ortom were not members of the party.
In a letter sent to the Chairman of the disciplinary committee, Tom Ikimi, the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of PDP in Benue State, Ezekiel Adaji, said: “the people who have signed the petition have not identified themselves as members of the PDP and are unknown to the PDP, Benue State Chapter; Adaji also stated that the platform the petitioners used to write the petition did not exist in Benue State.
“There is no group of the PDP in Benue State known as Benue PDP Youths Conscience,” he said.