The National Disciplinary Commission set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is unlikely to impose sanctions on party members for violations before the next party congress.
This comes amidst intensifying conflict within the opposition, with the PDP Governors Forum setting a deadline of February 2025 for the party to convene a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Sources within the PDP have revealed that the disciplinary committee, chaired by former Foreign Minister Tom Ikimi, has chosen to pursue reconciliation following advice from some party leaders.
This approach is aimed at avoiding deepening rifts within the party, with the hope that members accused of violating party rules will be relieved at the next party congress.
“The committee was deliberately constituted in this way to ensure failure in disciplining certain members,” a senior PDP official told Sunday Punch on condition of anonymity.
The official added that the establishment of the committee by acting national chairman Umar Damagum and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) is in violation of the party constitution as amended in 2017.
According to the party constitution, the National Disciplinary Committee is to be composed of seven members. However, the current number of members of the committee is 26, raising concerns about its legality and effectiveness.
Supporters of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have previously named Nyesom Wike, former governor Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu). ), had demanded disciplinary action against the Oyo State governor and others for actions deemed to be anti-party activities. Seyi Makinde.
In response, Mr Wike’s allies called for similar sanctions against Mr Abubakar’s supporters, including former governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger).
To address these complaints, the NWC established a disciplinary committee on August 21, 2024, with the power to investigate the petition and recommend sanctions to the NEC.
However, with the exception of Ikumi’s October 5 statement guaranteeing fairness in handling complaints, no significant progress has been reported, and the committee’s activities remain dormant three months later. .
The official further added, “Nothing can be built on a defective foundation. The composition of Ikimi’s committee does not comply with these requirements, so it cannot be barked and chewed. Sanctions may also be legally challenged and deemed invalid.”
The majority of NWC members are supporters of a particular party leader, the person said.
“Look at the party membership. People who are loyal to a particular party leader who has taken control of the party organization are deliberately assembled. He has repeatedly said that no one can suspend him,” he said. The party even dares to try it. So, in addition to ignoring the PDP constitution, they have deliberately filled the committee with his supporters so that no harm will come to their supporters.
“Finally, has there been any feedback from this committee since its inception three months ago?The disciplinary committee, which should be open, fair and transparent, is currently operating in secret. I know there have been a number of allegations against it, but did the committee invite anyone? Did any members of the party appear before that considering these constitutional issues and other factors? It is clear then that this committee will fail.”
Somewhat contradictoryly, two party leaders told Punch in separate interviews that the committee was “likely to be cautious” about the consequences of its actions.
“Our party is already weak. Any attempt to sanction anyone will destroy the party. That is what the disciplinary committee will consider. The NWC is not going to act on it because it needs to be avoided,” one party official said.
The party leader claimed that the disciplinary committee prioritized the unity and progress of the party rather than seeking the suspension or expulsion of some erring party members.
Another party leader, a former deputy spokesperson of the party, said the reconciliation committee, chaired by former Osun State governor, Mr. Olagunsoye Oyinlola, would work with all other committees, including the disciplinary committee, to ensure that their actions would not affect the leadership of the party. He said that he is trying to avoid causing dissatisfaction. effort.
“What we believe is that our convention is next year. Everything should be on hold until then. Naturally, the convention will be held by some parties, including known and unknown enemies of the party. members will be relieved.
“All agitation has been stopped until the convention. Those who want to eliminate Damagum are also stopping their movement because of the convention. If the party sanctions anyone now, it will cause a new crisis. Why not wait until the convention to resolve it? The committee is not going to do anything before the convention. That’s my understanding.”
