PDP Moves to Reinstate Discipline, Sets Up 26-Member Committee

In a determined effort to reestablish party discipline, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formed a 26-member disciplinary committee, chaired by Chief Tom Ikimi. The announcement was made by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Friday.

The move comes in the wake of ongoing internal crises that have plagued the party since its 2023 Presidential primary. During that primary, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar secured the party’s nomination with 371 votes, defeating his closest rival, then-Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who garnered 237 votes out of a total of 767. Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, subsequently led a group of five PDP governors in openly opposing Atiku and the party.

The newly formed disciplinary committee, which will be led by Chief Tom Ikimi, includes Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as its secretary. Other notable members are former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Chief Olabode George (a member of the Board of Trustees), Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen (also a Board of Trustees member), Senator Effiong Bob, and former Acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje.

The committee will be inaugurated alongside the National Reconciliation Committee, which is headed by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Speaking on the development, Ologunagba stated, “Following the approval of the National Executive Committee (NEC), the National Working Committee (NWC) has constituted the National Reconciliation Committee and the National Disciplinary Committee of our great party.

“The Committees will be inaugurated on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the NEC Hall, National Secretariat, Abuja, at 12 noon prompt.

“The NWC urges all leaders, critical stakeholders, and the teeming members of the PDP to remain focused and committed to the vision, principles, and aspirations of our great party, in the overall interest of the growth, development, and stability of both the PDP and the nation.”