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 a petition against Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a member of the PDP National Executive Committee. The petition accused Senator Anyanwu of violating Chapter 10, Article 58 (1) of the PDP Constitution (2017), as amended.

It stated “Senator Anyawu was alleged to have petitioned various security agencies to take over PDP National Headquarters and disrupted their peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the party.

“In compliance with the provisions of Articles 57(4) of the PDP Constitution 2017, the National Disciplinary Committee drew the attention of Senator Anyawu to this allegation, vide its Notice of Complaint dated 6/2/2025 and 12th February 2025 with the copy of the complaint duly attached. The date and place of hearing of the petition was duly communicated to Sen. Anyawu.

“When the complaint was called on February 12, 2025, the attention of the committee was drawn to a letter written by Sen. Anyawu dated February 11, 2025. In the letter Sen. Anyawu expressed his regret that he will not be able to attend the hearing of 12th February 2025 as he had a medical appointment on the 11th February 2025 at a Lagos Hospital.

“A medical report was annexed. Senator Anyawu further claimed that the petition lacks substance. Senator Anyawu alluded to a case at the Supreme Court. In this case, no particulars, of Appeal No, parties, or subject of this appeal was disclosed to the NDC. No court process was also provided for the guidance of the National Disciplinary Committee.

“Never the less, the NDC, in deference to request of Sen. Anyawu, adjourned the hearing to Tuesday, 4th March 2025 to enable Senator Anyawu appear. A fresh hearing notice was issued inviting Senator Anyawu to appear on the said 4th March, 2025.�

Ikimi’s committee stated that on March 4, Senator Anyanwu acknowledged receiving a new hearing notice but again refused to appear, citing the matter as subjudice.

Given his clear refusal to attend and no request for an adjournment, the  committee said it decided to proceed with hearing the petitioners.

The Ikimi’s in the report continued “Accordingly, the petitioners adopted their petition on 4th March, 2025 and further gave oral testimony. Hon. Afolabi Adekanbi, repeated the substance of his written petition, and further added that he was at the National Headquarters of the PDP, at Wadata Plaza, when on 31st January 2025 & 1st February 2025, and he witnessed the presence of some security agents and some thugs who came around to molest the officials of the party at the instance of the Respondent.

“Now the testimony of the petitioners are largely uncontested. The Respondent chose not to appear before the committee to defend himself, even when he was served with the notice of the allegation that was duly served on him.

“Equally, the Respondent did not avail the committee with the facts of the matter before the Supreme Court. There is nothing placed before to support the position that the allegation of procuring security agents and other person to disrupt the activities at the National Secretariat of the PDP is the matter that is before the Supreme Court or put differently, we are unable to reach the conclusion that the matter before the Supreme Court has to do with anti-party activity or the disciplinary procedure contained in the constitution of the PDP.

“Which ever way one looks at this, the allegation made against the Respondent herein was neither denied by the Respondent even though he was served.�

When reached for comment, Wike’s loyalists, Anyanwu dismissed the NDC’s recommendation.

In a phone conversation with The PUNCH, Anyanwu stated that the suspension would not be upheld.

He stated “ “How can they expel me? That cannot stand. I have never heard from them. The last time they met, they adjourned to April 4. So wherever this one is coming from will not work.�

The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, also stated that the NDC’s action would be prejudicial.

He added that the recommendation to expel Anyanwu would not be successful.

Osadolor stated “I think what the Committee is doing is subjudice, and they should have allowed the court to make a pronouncement before addressing it.

“Though there is nobody bigger than the party, including me, I can be suspended or expelled if I am involved in anti-party activities or go against the party. But to say Anyanwu should be expelled, it will not stand. What about people like Senator Adolphus Wabara, who engaged in anti-party activities not once, but twice? That is anti-party, so I think the Committee should go after people like him, not Anyanwu.

“I don’t think this expulsion will stand. I don’t see the NEC upholding Anyanwu’s suspension.�

In a related development, a reliable source, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed to The PUNCH that the South-South Governors, barring any last-minute changes, will attend the inauguration of the zone’s caretaker committee scheduled for today.

The source added that their attendance is in support of the Damagum-led NWC and to take control of the party’s structure in the zone.

Despite the court’s ruling, the PDP proceeded with the congress on February 22. Vita Abba, chairman of the electoral committee, declared Wike’s ally Dan Orbih as the winner with 174 votes, making him the National Vice Chairman for the South-South.

Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, attended the congress in Calabar and emphasized that the South-South is the PDP’s strongest base. He asserted that no further congress would be held in the region and maintained that the event was legally conducted, confirming Orbih as National Vice Chairman.

While the four South-South governors who abstained from the congress were distanced from the event, the Damagum-led NWC disregarded Wike’s stance. On March 7, they appointed Emma Ogidi as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee and announced April 12 as the new date for the South-South Zonal Congress.

The source stated “ What I can tell you is that nothing will stop this inauguration. The South-South Governors are in support of it. In fact, Governors Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) will be there tomorrow.

“If they don’t change their minds, they will witness the inauguration of this committee. The governors are determined to put the party structure in the zone in proper shape.�

When contacted, Wike’s loyalist, Orbih, called the NWC’s move to inaugurate the committee an act of illegality.

In a phone interview with The PUNCH, Orbih accused the Damagum-led NWC of engaging in unlawful actions.

He stated “I don’t want to join those people swimming in the pool of illegality. We have no business with them.

“The matter is before the Federal High Court; it is prejudicial for me to talk about it and for anyone to take any action. So, whoever is insisting on doing anything against the order of the Court will have himself or herself to blame.�