By: Editor
The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Saturday after the party expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, along with 10 other senior members, over allegations of anti-party activities.
The expulsions were approved during the PDP’s 20th National Convention held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, in Ibadan, Oyo State. Among those removed from the party were former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, factional chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Abraham Amah, George Turner, Dan Orbih, and others.
The motion for their removal was moved by former National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George, and seconded by Bauchi PDP Chairman, Samaila Burga, before it was overwhelmingly adopted by delegates. The convention also confirmed Umar Damagum as the party’s substantive National Chairman.
However, the decision sparked a revolt among some PDP governors. Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri—chair of the convention’s organising committee—and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, publicly distanced themselves from Wike’s expulsion, widening existing cracks within the party.
Legal Battles Ahead of the Convention
The PDP has been embroiled in intense internal disputes for months, largely driven by competing factions loyal to Wike and Damagum. The tensions escalated into a series of court battles ahead of the convention.
Former Jigawa governor, Sule Lamido, had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja after he was denied access to purchase the nomination form for the national chairmanship position. Justice Peter Lifu subsequently ordered the PDP to halt the convention and barred INEC from recognising any process that excluded Lamido.
That ruling reinforced an earlier November 11 order by the same judge, which also restrained the convention from holding. Both rulings supported an earlier decision by Justice James Omotosho on October 31, which halted preparations for the convention.
However, an Oyo State High Court ruling on November 3 cleared the party to proceed, directing INEC to monitor the exercise. The Damagum-led faction relied on that order, insisting they were not aware of Justice Lifu’s latest directive before proceeding.
PDP Defends Expulsions
The PDP announced the expulsions via its official X account, stating that delegates at the convention voted in favour of the disciplinary action. The party cited multiple provisions of its 2017 constitution, stressing that the National Convention holds supreme authority over disciplinary matters.
South-West PDP Chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, said the decision had been long overdue, adding that those expelled “worked against the party and attempted to destroy it.” He clarified that Lamido was not expelled, describing him as a respected leader who merely felt sidelined.
Meanwhile, Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for Wike, dismissed the Ibadan gathering as a “social event,” claiming the organisers lacked legitimacy.
More Expelled Leaders Push Back
Some expelled leaders, including Abraham Amah of Abia State and George Turner of the South-South zone, rejected the convention’s decisions, calling them unlawful and inconsistent with subsisting court orders.
Amah argued that the convention ignored ongoing litigation and that participation from Abia was partial, claiming only a handful of local government and state working committee members attended.
Turner also described the event as invalid, noting the absence of INEC and insisting that the exercise could not be regarded as a genuine PDP convention.
The acting Publicity Secretary of the South-South zone, Enyinnaya Appolos, argued that the entire process violated multiple court orders, adding that any decisions taken would crumple under judicial scrutiny.
Some Governors May Exit the Party
Rivers, Osun, and Taraba governors—Siminalayi Fubara, Ademola Adeleke, and Cephas Agbu—were absent from the convention, fuelling speculation that they may be preparing to leave the PDP.
Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor claimed their absence signaled an impending defection. The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, also suggested that Kefas of Taraba may join the ruling party within days.
Osadolor dismissed the Ibadan gathering as a nullity due to INEC’s absence and court orders, insisting that any list of officials produced would not be recognised by law.
PDP Dissolves Structures in Five States
At the convention, the PDP also dissolved its party structures in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, moved the motion for the dissolution, which was seconded by National Auditor Daniel Okechukwu. Makinde explained that the decision followed the party’s review of state congresses held between 2024 and 2025.
He added that the affected states were notified that all ward, local government, and state-level executive committees had been dissolved, pending further directives from the national leadership.
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