As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to grapple with internal discord, the party’s National Disciplinary Committee, led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi, has pledged to handle all petitions fairly and decisively.
The committee was set up to address accusations from within the party, where some members have been accused of working against its interests, especially in the aftermath of the 2023 presidential election.
In response to the growing tension, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) established the disciplinary panel on August 21, giving members the opportunity to submit petitions. The panel is tasked with hearing both the petitioners and the accused before making recommendations to the National Executive Committee (NEC) on the appropriate disciplinary measures.
In a statement released on Saturday, Ikimi assured party members that the committee will operate with transparency and fairness. He expressed confidence that their work would help restore unity within the party and meet the expectations of its members across the nation.
“As the NDC sets to commence its sitting/hearing, and while looking forward to the receipt of petitions and complaints from aggrieved members, through the NWC, or as may be appropriately brought to its notice, the NDC hereby assures the generality of party members, including the PDP leadership and all stakeholders, of its preparedness to deal with all complaints/petitions fairly, firmly, and transparently,” Ikimi said.
He further emphasized that the committee will strictly follow the party’s constitution, which outlines the offenses and sanctions that can be imposed. “We will act in full obedience to the dictates of the PDP constitution, which has clearly spelt out the ‘Offences and Sanctions,'” he added.
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Ikimi expressed optimism that the committee’s approach will help rebuild trust within the party. “We are hopeful that our fairness, firmness, and decisiveness will restore the hope and confidence of our great party to meet the expectations of our teeming membership nationwide and the suffering Nigerian public, who are desperate for an appropriate National Leadership,” he said.
The PDP has faced significant internal challenges since the 2023 elections, with various factions accusing one another of disloyalty and undermining the party’s interests. These divisions have fueled calls for disciplinary actions to address the grievances and maintain order within the party.
In light of these tensions, Ikimi called on all members of the PDP, including its leadership, to fully cooperate with the committee. “We therefore urge all members of the PDP and its leadership to give the committee the support and cooperation necessary to carry out its assignment successfully,” he said.
The committee’s work is seen as a crucial step in healing the rifts within the PDP and ensuring that the party remains united as it looks to the future.