There are indications that the National Disciplinary Committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party may not sanction erring members before the next convention of the party.
This was as the PDP Governors’ Forum gave a February 2025 deadline to the party to convene the National Executive Council meeting.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the disciplinary committee, as advised by some leaders of the PDP, had resolved to toe the part of reconciliation and allow the next convention to ease out members perceived to have disobeyed extant rules of the party.
The main opposition party is expected to hold its convention where a new leadership will emerge ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to some notable leaders of the PDP, both the reconciliation and disciplinary committees are working together and cautious to avoid any action that will further divide the party.
But a senior member of the PDP, who spoke on condition of anonymity, argued that the committee, headed by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi, was designed to fail by some members of the National Working Committee of the party.
The source revealed that the formation of the committee was contrary to the PDP constitution.
He added that concerns earlier raised by some party leaders on the legality of the committee were ignored by the acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, and some other members of the NWC.
“The committee was intentionally formed this way to ensure its failure in disciplining certain members,” the chieftain said.
The PDP started grappling with internal strife before and after the 2023 presidential election.
Supporters of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had called for the suspension of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, ex-governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and a few others in their camp for perceived anti-party activities.
Meanwhile, Wike’s supporters also demanded disciplinary action against the former vice president and his allies, including former governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger), among others.
In response, the PDP NWC set up a disciplinary committee on August 21, 2024, to allow members to file petitions from both the petitioners and the accused, and make recommendations to the National Executive Committee.
However, Sunday PUNCH learnt that apart from Ikimi’s October 5 statement assuring fair handling of complaints, there had been no further communication from the disciplinary panel, and the activities of the 26-member committee had remained unknown for over three months.
Speaking further, the senior PDP member stated that the National Disciplinary Committee, as recognised by the amended 2017 constitution of the party, was composed of seven members, not 26.
He explained that any sanction imposed by the Damagum-constituted NDC would be invalid, arguing that the committee was not recognised by the party’s constitution.
“You can’t build something on a flawed foundation. Since the composition of Ikimi’s committee does not follow these requirements, they can’t bark or bite. Any sanction they propose can be legally challenged and will be deemed null and void,” he added.
The source said majority of members of the NDC were loyalists of a particular leader of the party.
“Look at the membership—it is deliberately stacked with individuals loyal to a particular party leader who has taken control of the party structure. He has repeatedly said no one can suspend him, even daring the party to try. So, in addition to ignoring the PDP Constitution, they purposely filled the committee with his loyalists to ensure no harm came to their supporters.
“Lastly, since its inauguration three months ago, have you heard anything from this committee? A disciplinary committee that should be open, fair, and transparent is now operating in secrecy. I know many allegations have been made against several members, but has the committee invited anyone? Has any member of the party appeared before it? Given these constitutional issues and other factors, it’s clear that this committee is bound to fail,” the source added.
In a slight contradiction, two chieftains of the party told Sunday PUNCH in separate interviews that it was likely that the committee was ‘being cautious’ of the consequence of its action.
“Our party is already fragile; any attempt to sanction anybody will bring down the party. That is the consideration of the disciplinary committee. Even if the committee submits its report, the NWC will not act on it because of the need to avoid further crisis,” said one of the chieftains of the party.
The party leader insisted that the disciplinary committee prioritised the unity and progress of the party above the call to suspend or expel some erring members of the party.
The other chieftain, a former deputy spokesperson for the party, said the reconciliation committee, headed by a former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was relating with every other committee, including the disciplinary panel, to ensure that their actions did not frustrate his efforts.
He said, “What we believe is that our convention is next year. Everything should be put on hold till that time. Naturally, the convention will ease out some members, including those known and unknown enemies of the party.
“Every agitation has been suspended till the convention. Those who want to remove Damagum have also stopped their move because of the convention. If the party sanctions anybody now, it will cause another crisis. Why not wait till the convention where everything will be sorted out? The committee is not likely to do anything before the convention; that is the understanding I have.”
Several attempts by Punch correspondent to reach the Chairman of the Committee, Ikimi, and the Secretary, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), for responses were unsuccessful, as they neither answered calls nor replied to text messages.
NEC member sues for calm
Reacting, a member of the PDP NEC and Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, stated that it would be insulting for anyone to believe that nothing good would come out of the committee given the calibre of individuals involved.
Osadolor, in an interview with Punch correspondent, urged party members to remain patient and avoid unnecessary speculation that could undermine the committee’s work.
He stated, “I think it would be insulting to a person like Chief Tom Ikimi, not only as a chief but also to his personal life and his official role as a public servant in this country.
“It is belittling to his status for anyone to think that nothing good will come out of the committee. It is also presumptuous to start assuming that a committee of elder statesmen will achieve nothing at the end of the day.
“We don’t want to encourage unnecessary speculation. The committee has its modus operandi that it is operating with. I may not be part of the committee, but I believe they are doing their job.
“That they have not declined their appointment to the committee and have not said anything about not fulfilling their role means they are doing something. So, to me, all party members should be patient and wait for the committee’s report.”
C’ttee working hard – Spokesman
Speaking on the matter, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said it was inconceivable for anyone to believe that the committee was destined to fail.
Ologunagba, who noted that the PDP prioritised reconciliation over discipline, added that the NWC expanded the NDC’s membership to involve more people in the process.
He stated “This party is one of constitution and law. To answer you directly, it is inconceivable to think that the NWC, which holds the overall mandate to manage the party’s affairs, would deliberately set up a committee to fail.
“However, democracy is about the people and the constitution is meant to guide the affairs of the various organs of the party in managing it. In the wisdom of the NWC, it was determined that there is a need for more involvement in disciplinary procedures.
“Also, don’t forget that the goal of the PDP is not just about discipline. We focus more on reconciliation because a political party is about people. With people coming from different backgrounds, cultures, and interests, the capacity to reconcile these differences is what makes it a political party.
“As a party, we place more emphasis on reconciling people rather than on discipline. However, any party that lacks discipline is bound to fail, which is why these committees were set up.”
The publicity secretary stated that the committees were actively working and would submit their reports to the NWC once they were ready.
Convene NEC February – Govs
In another development, the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has called on the PDP’s National Working Committee to organise a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee by the first week of February.
The forum, chaired by the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, in a communique issued after its meeting in Jos on Saturday, stated that the period from November to February would be dedicated to addressing the critical challenges facing the party.
Since Damagum assumed the role of acting National Chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s court removal, he has faced significant criticism from party leaders amid the ongoing crisis.
Many voices within the party are now calling for his resignation.
During the 98th NEC meeting on April 18, party leaders approved the formation of reconciliation and disciplinary committees, as well as the conduct of ward and state congresses.
They also tasked the North-Central caucus of the party with consulting on the issue of replacing the acting national chairman with a permanent one.
The 99th NEC meeting, originally set for August 15 was postponed to October 24, 2024, and then rescheduled for November 28, 2024, before it was postponed indefinitely.
In response, the forum emphasised its commitment to maintaining the unity and cohesion of the party, adding that Nigerians regard it as the best platform for democratic governance.
The communique stated in part, “The forum is strongly advising the NWC to call NEC by the first week of February 2025 to allow for elaborate consultations with critical stakeholders of the party. The period between November and February is to address the existential problems confronting the party, with a deliberate timeline of activities within the period under review to address issues of leadership and litigations confronting the party.”
The forum expressed sympathy for Nigerians suffering from the severe economic hardship allegedly imposed by the policies and decisions of the APC-led Federal Government.
It also urged President Bola Tinubu to promptly review both macroeconomic and fiscal policies to improve the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.
‘We’ll stabilise party’
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, while hosting the PDP Governors’ Forum in Jos, said the reputation of the party would be restored as the party of choice for Nigerians.
“Even though this is primarily a meeting of governors, it is gratifying to see party leaders and stakeholders from various states filling this room to support the governors, as we strategise to ensure not only the stability of our party but also its ability to continue providing hope to Nigerians,” Mutfwang stated.
The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, commended the party’s stakeholders for their support.
The Oyo State Governor and Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Seyi Makinde, also reassured PDP supporters of the governors’ determination to reform the party and restore its leadership role in Nigeria.
