The disciplinary committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has explained why it has not called certain party leaders, such as Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to appear before it.
Chief Tom Ikimi, the committee’s chairman, clarified that Wike and others were not called because the committee’s authority is restricted to handling petitions against party members.
According to Ikimi, the committee doesn’t make decisions based on accusations found in press articles.
Ikimi stated that the committee’s authority is limited to petitions that are duly filed to it in a statement that he signed.
According to Ikimi: “Whether acts were committed against the party in 2015, 2019, 2020, or any other year, we can do nothing about them except if there are petitions sent to this Committee.”
Ikimi’s statement coincides with demands for Wike and other PDP leaders to face disciplinary punishment for their involvement in the 2023 presidential election.
Wike came under fire for heading a group of G5 governors that opposed Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s presidential contender in the 2023 elections.
In the meantime, petitions against National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom were to be heard by the committee.
However, citing health issues and not receiving the petitions, respectively, both people did not show up.
Ikimi revealed that the committee has proof that Ortom and Anyanwu received the petitions, but in order to give everyone a fair hearing, they have chosen to postpone the hearing until March 4.
“We believe all will be well, and the committee is going to be fair to everyone,” he assured.
