Members of the Peoples Democratic Party Abia State chapter believed to be loyalists of FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday suspended the party’s BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, for endorsing Ude-Okoye as national secretary instead of Samuel Anyanwu, an ally of the minister.

But chairman of the Abia PDP, Abraham Amah, stated on Tuesday that the BoT chairman was suspended for allegedly endorsing Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, who is of the Labour Party, for a second term, just five months into his administration in October 2023.

Multiple sources within the opposition party’s National Working Committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment on the matter, however, insisted that one of the reasons Wabara was suspended was because the BoT endorsed Ude-Okoye as the party’s secretary.

Amah, speaking to the State Executive Committee in Umuahia on Tuesday, Amah cited a memo from the party’s state treasurer, Chizurum  Kalu, wherein he called for Wabara’s suspension over unfounded statements.

This comes as former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi, leads the party’s National Disciplinary Committee in questioning members on Wednesday (today) as part of efforts in resolving the crisis that had bedeviled the leading opposition party in the country.

While announcing the suspension of Wabara, Amah requested the Abia State Executive Committee to invoke the relevant sections of the party’s constitution, particularly Section 57, 58 and 59 on the BoT chair, emphasising the need to ensure discipline among party members across board, irrespective of status.

He said, “True leadership and progress require a dedicated and loyal team and not a crowd. The PDP needs individuals who understand the sacrifices necessary to reposition the party for electoral success and for the transformation of Abia State.

“According to the memo tendered by the state treasurer, the BOT chairman was accused of endorsing Governor Alex Otti for a second tenure, an action the memo outlined was inimical to the party.

“In moving a motion that was seconded by the state Organising Secretary, Obinna Okey, the state treasurer requested that the BOT chairman be debarred from holding any party office and as well suspended as the BOT chairman.”

The Abia PDP chairman called for the rebuilding of a strong and viable team that would actively contribute to the advancement of the party and the development of the state.

“If you are in this party, be ready to stand for it, work for it and defend it. We do not need passengers, we need partners in progress.

“Our attention was drawn to a statement credited to  Senator Adolphus Wabara sometime in October (2024) and circulated on social media platforms and national dailies, wherein the said Senator threw caution to the wind and in a brazen display of sabotage to the party, unilaterally endorsed the Labour Party Governor of Abia State, Gov Alex Chioma Otti, for a second term in office, barely five months after the inauguration and thereby, brought the party to disrepute, hatred and contempt, which he said is in violation to the provisions of Chapter 10, Article 58(c) and (f) of the Constitution of Party (2017 as amended) and therefore, liable to punishment under Article 59(1) of the party’s Constitution.

“Article 58(1) and Article 59(1) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended) empowers the State Executive Committee (SEC) to discipline any member of the party, who commits any offence(s) provided by the party’s Constitution, irrespective of the member’s status. The party, having considered the implications of Senator Adolphus Wabara’s acts of sabotage against the party, invoked the provisions of Articles 57(1),(2),(3), 58(1)(b) & (f) and 59(1) of the party’s Constitution (2017 as amended), against Senator Adolphus Wabara and thereby, placed him on one month suspension from party activities and also in compliance with the provisions of Articles 59(1) (e) & (f) of the party’s Constitution (2017 as amended), the party debarred the former Senator from holding any party office and therefore, equally removed from office as BOT Chairman of PDP.”

Meanwhile, the party constituted a seven-man disciplinary committee to investigate Wabara’s alleged statement, while urging members to reaffirm their commitment to the mission of the party.

PDP National Deputy Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, an ally of Anyanwu, backed the suspension of the BoT chair, stating that it was widely known that Wabara expressed support for Otti’s re-election.

“Wabara engaged in anti-party activities, which is known. He expressed support for Otti, a member of the Labour Party, for the 2027 elections. That is anti-party, and in my opinion, people like him should face the Ikimi-led panel for their actions.”

Contrary to Osadolor and others’ claim, a credible party source questioned why Wabara had not been sanctioned since 2023 if it was due to his alleged support for Otti’s re-election.

“They alleged that Wabara engaged in anti-party activities in 2023, claiming he supported Otti’s 2027 governorship bid. However, there’s more to the story – if that was the case, why wait until now?

“I believe the real reason for suspending Wabara is that he stands for justice, and his group, the BoT, declared Ude-Okoye as the PDP’s legitimate secretary. I suspect that Wike’s loyalists supporting Anyanwu are behind this.”

Additionally, the PDP NWC rejected the suspension of Wabara.

In a statement on Tuesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said, “The NWC categorically dismisses the purported suspension as null and void and of no effect whatsoever not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down rules of our great Party.

“For emphasis, no State Working Committee has the power to suspend or take any disciplinary action against a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party without due recourse to the NWC as clearly provided under Section 57 (7) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017)

“Section 57 (7) is unambiguous in providing that; “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly…”

He clarified that the clear meaning of Section 57 (7) is that the Abia State chapter has no authority to take any disciplinary action against the BoT Chairman, as he is a member of the Party’s National Executive Committee.

The statement added, “The PDP therefore condemns the purported suspension of Senator Wabara as reckless, unconstitutional and cautions those behind this act in defiance of the PDP Constitution to retrace their steps as the NWC will not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary actions to preserve the stability of our Party and the sanctity of its Constitution.

“The NWC calls on all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our party in Abia State, the South East Zone and indeed across the country to disregard the purported suspension.”

Ortom, Anyanwu absent

Meanwhile, former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and the embattled Senator Anyanwu, who’s been engulfed in a bitter battle for the position of the party secretary with Ude-Okoye, disclosed they would not appear before the panel, further sparking conversations about the future of the party.

Anyanwu confirmed receiving the disciplinary committee’s invitation letter on Monday, but told The TheNigerian he won’t be available for questioning.

He said, “Yes, my office called me yesterday (Monday) to inform me that an invitation letter had arrived from the NDC. So, I have received the invitation letter.

“But I can’t attend due to medical reasons, and I have immediately communicated my situation to them. I have requested that mine be rescheduled for another date.”

Ortom’s Special Adviser on Media, Nathaniel Ikyur, confirmed that the former governor had not received an official invitation letter, adding that Ortom would not attend the panel.

“The former governor has not received an invitation from the panel; he was only notified through social media. Therefore, he will write the committee tomorrow (today), requesting a formal invitation for another date,” Ikyur said.

The Ikimi-led panel issued a statement on Thursday summoning Ortom, Anyanwu and 10 others, stating that all those invited must appear before the committee at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja, today.

The activities of the panel have remained confidential, with the identities of the other 10 invited party members undisclosed.

Attempts by The TheNigerian to obtain their names from Ikimi and committee secretary, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, were unsuccessful. Both Ikimi and Jegede denied any knowledge of the identities and offered no further information despite efforts to uncover the details.

Since the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has battled internal conflicts with members accusing themselves of sabotaging the party’s interests.

In response, the party’s National Working Committee established a disciplinary committee on August 21, 2024 to allow members to file complaints, hear both sides, and make recommendations to the National Executive Committee.

However, nearly five months after the committee’s creation, the crisis has worsened, with both former National Youth Leader Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu engaging each other in a heated contest for the secretary position.

Despite Ude-Okoye being backed by the BoT led by Wabara and the Governors Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the conflict remains unresolved.

However, findings by The TheNigerian show that despite the ongoing crisis, Anyanwu has continually visited the PDP National Headquarters at Wuse Zone 5, Abuja to handle party matters for weeks, though he was absent from the office on Monday and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the party’s former National Vice Chairman for the South-West, Eddy Olafeso and National Deputy Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, called on Ikimi’s panel to ensure justice and fairness.

Olafeso expressed confidence in the committee to help reposition the PDP.

He said, “They must make all understand the need respect the culture of our party, and we should recognise the fact that no one is greater than the party, and none of us is perfect.

“So, if there’s a wrong, those invited should admit it, and review their past actions against the party. You can be forgiven. It’s a two-way process. We’re looking out for our own, bringing our people back together, and that’s what’s important to us.”

Osadolor, in an exclusive interview with The TheNigerian, stated, “Well, for me, the fact that a man like Ikimi has agreed to chair this committee is a source of utmost joy and a huge relief to the majority of party members. Being that Ikimi is known to be a thoroughbred professional, a man who does not hesitate to speak the truth to anyone, regardless of their position, is highly commendable.”

LP reacts

Meanwhile, the Abia State Labour Party has slammed the PDP for the suspension of Wabara, describing the officials involved as “myopic politicians.”

The state chairman of LP, Emmanuel Otti, said, “The suspension was by myopic politicians who don’t think good for the state. Politics is all about people who you put there.  Wabara did not make any blunder but appreciated the good works of the state governor, Alex Otti. Wabara is a God-fearing human being and a good politician.”

In a swift reaction, a group, National Frontier for Change and Progress, rose to the defence of Wabara.

In a press conference in Umuahia, the coordinator of the group, Ikpegbu Emeka, described the PDP as a “shadow of itself because the party did not heed Wabara’s advice that the governorship position should go to Abia North” during the last governorship election in the state.

The group also insisted that only the National Working Committee of the party had the constitutional right to suspend Wabara.

As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party deepens, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who were reportedly summoned by the National Disciplinary Committee led by former Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Ikimi, have stated that they have yet to receive any official invitation.

Both politicians, however, confirmed their willingness to appear before the panel once they receive formal notification.

The Ikimi-led NDC had announced on Thursday that Ortom, Anyanwu, and 10 other unnamed party members were expected to appear before the committee on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja.

However, the identities of the other 10 individuals remain undisclosed, with both Ikimi and the committee’s secretary, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), refusing to provide details.

Since the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has been plagued by internal conflicts, with factions accusing each other of undermining the party’s interests.

In response, the PDP’s National Working Committee established the disciplinary committee on August 21, 2024, to handle complaints and recommend actions to the National Executive Committee.

However, nearly five months after its formation, the crisis has escalated.

The position of National Secretary remains a major point of contention, with both former National Youth Leader,  Sunday Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu claiming the role.

While 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, the conflict remains unresolved.

Although Ikimi has acknowledged receiving only five petitions, an anonymous senior NWC member disclosed that around 30 petitions had been submitted to the committee.

The NDC clarified that both petitioners and accused party members, along with their witnesses, would be required to appear before the panel.

Speaking through his media aide, Terver Akase, Ortom stated on Sunday that while he was ready to appear before the panel as a loyal party member, he had yet to receive an official invitation.

“My principal is willing to appear before the panel, but the issue is that he is yet to be officially invited. As a law-abiding citizen and patriotic party man, he will honour the panel’s invitation once he receives it,” Akase said.

Similarly, Anyanwu told The TheNigerian that he had not received any formal invitation but would attend the proceedings as soon as he was officially notified.

“I read it in the news. I have not received any invitation. But as a loyal and faithful party member, when I receive their letter, I will honour it,” he said.

An anonymous NWC member revealed that no invitations had been sent out yet and suggested that the PDP was prioritizing reconciliation over punitive measures.

“I am not sure if Anyanwu, Ortom, or any of the other unnamed 10 have been invited. Maybe they will send the invitations on Monday. But the PDP is more focused on reconciliation than on sanctions,” the source said.

“The NDC leaders know they cannot be too harsh on any member because we need unity. While they will discuss the petitions, they are more likely to recommend that some individuals apologise, issue warnings, and, at worst, face suspensions. Expulsion is unlikely, as we need more members, not fewer.”

Ikimi declined to comment, while Jegede, the NDC Secretary, stated that he was unsure whether invitations had been delivered.

“I will have to confirm if they have been served by courier service, as we can’t reach all of them physically,” Jegede said.