Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has given the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a 48-hour ultimatum to apologize for exposing him to public ridicule.
The demand comes after the Tom Ikimi-led National Disciplinary Committee of the PDP issued a statement announcing an inquiry into alleged petitions against Ortom.
In a letter written by his lawyer, C.T Mue Esq, Ortom’s legal team noted that the Committee’s public notice violated Section 57 of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended) and Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015. The letter stated that Ortom was not formally notified of any allegations in writing before the press release was issued, which constitutes a gross violation of the PDP Constitution.
Furthermore, the letter argued that the National Disciplinary Committee lacks jurisdiction to entertain any disciplinary action against Ortom, as he falls under the categories of members exempt from disciplinary actions by executive committees, except the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The statement by the legal team said, “We act as legal representative to His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom, on whose behalf we write this formal demand.
“Our attention has been drawn to the Press Release issued by the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dated 5th February 2025, which publicly announced an inquiry into alleged Petitions against Our Client.
“This public notice has caused reputational harm and violates fundamental principles as enshrined in Section 57 of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended) and Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 thus:
“Violation of Section 57(4);
Section 57(4) of the PDP Constitution mandates that where an allegation is made against a member, the Disciplinary Committee must inform the member in writing about the allegations against him and the date, time, and venue of the hearing.
“Despite this clear provision, Our Client was neither formally notified of any allegations in writing before the Press Release was issued. This constitutes a gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution.
“Violation of Section 57(7);
Section 57(7) of the PDP Constitution clearly states that no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee (NEC), shall entertain any question of discipline relating to members of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors, or Members of the National Assembly.
“ Our Client falls under these categories. Thus, the National Disciplinary Committee lacks the jurisdiction to entertain any disciplinary action against them, making the purported inquiry procedurally defective and unconstitutional.
3. Violation of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act 2015;
“The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, in Section 24(1)(b), criminalizes the intentional transmission of false or misleading information that causes annoyance, inconvenience, or damage to a person’s reputation.
“The premature publication of allegations against Our Client, without being duly informed, as provided by Section 57(4) of the Constitution of PDP 2017 (as amended), has led to public ridicule and reputational harm.
In light of the above, we hereby Demand as follows:
“That the National Disciplinary Committee immediately withdraw the Press Release issued on 5th February 2025.
“That a written apology be issued to Our Client within 48 hours of receiving this Notice.
“That the National Disciplinary Committee cease and desist from further public commentary on our clients’ matter until they have been formally notified of any allegations and given an opportunity to respond.
“Failure to comply with these demands within 48 hours from receipt of this letter will leave Our Client with no choice but to seek redress in a court of law, including instituting a defamation lawsuit and petitioning law enforcement agencies for violations of the Cybercrimes Act 2015.
We trust that you will act swiftly to address this matter and uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and due process within the party.”
The Benue State Chapter of the PDP has also written to the disciplinary committee, stating that the petitioners are not known party members. The chapter’s chairman, Hon. Ezekiel Adaji, said that the petitioners have not identified themselves as members of the PDP and have not provided evidence of their membership.
He said, “I regret to state that I am unable to deliver the letters to the various members of the Party who have been petitioned for want of sufficient time.
“Since the petition has been copied to the ‘Benue State PDP Caretaker Committee’ which is now the State Working Committee of the Party under my leadership, although no copy of the petition has been served on me or the Benue State Working Committee, I perused the said petition and do hereby observe as follows:
“That there is no group of the PDP in Benue State known as “Benue PDP Youths Conscience;
“That the people who have signed the petition have not identified themselves as members of the PDP and are unknown to PDP, Benue State Chapter;
“That the petition has not specified the acts consisting of the alleged anti-party activities.
“The petitioners have also not accompanied the petition with the “pictorial, voice and video evidences” (sic) which they intend to present at the hearing of the petition before the Disciplinary Committee.
“In view of the foregoing observations, I do hereby suggest as follows:
“That the Disciplinary Committee may kindly reschedule the meeting and notify me in good time to enable me to convey same to the petitioned members ahead of the date of the meeting to ensure their appearance before the Committee;
“That the petitioners should provide evidence of their membership of the Party, if any, to enable the Disciplinary Committee to ascertain the propriety of their petition;
“That the Disciplinary Committee may advise the petitioners to attach to the petition, the “pictorial, voice and video evidences” (sic) to enable the petitioned members prepare their defence to the petition.
“I do hereby reiterate the determination of the PDP Benue State Chapter to work in consonance with the National Working Committee and all structures of the Party to reposition the Party to her pride of place in the political arithmetic of Nigeria, now and in future.
“Accept the assurances of my highest esteem, please.”
In the lead-up to the 2023 general election, Ortom and a group of governors openly supported the election of President Bola Tinubu, who was then the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This act, some members described as anti-party.
