By Aare Abiodun Oluwarotimi
Recently, the Disciplinary Committee of the People’s Democratic Party led by Chief Tom Ikimi told the world on the social media and pages of newspapers that it had invited the immediate past governor of Benue state, Chief Samuel Ortom PhD and some others to answer questions on some allegations made against them.
The Committee erred so much by not following due process as laid down in the party’s constitution as to how top members like Chief Samuel Ortom can be invited for such exercise.
Announcing the invitation on the Social Media means one thing and that is, the Committee has reduced the People’s Democratic Party to a group of jesters. Inviting a whole former governor to face such committee on the Social Media? Too bad!
A question for the Tom Ikimi-led Disciplinary Committee is if they invited Chief Samuel Ortom PhD and others by writing. If no, then the exercise would amount to nothing since it didn’t go in line with the Constitution of the party.
It will be in place if Chief Samuel Ortom takes a legal action against the Committee because the Social Media invitation must have caused reputational harm and violated 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:
“1. 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.
“2. 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”
With the above, it will be fair if the Tom Ikimi-led Disciplinary Committee tenders an open apology to Chief Samuel Ortom PhD and others.
I am Aare Abiodun Oluwarotimi, De Oracular Oracle that eats jollof rice in the shrine.