The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party is far from over even with the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and 10 other high-ranking leaders over alleged anti-party activities. The confusion has rather deepened as some governors on the platform of the party are kicking against the expulsion of Wike and his colleagues.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party is far from over even with the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and 10 other high-ranking leaders over alleged anti-party activities. The confusion has rather deepened as some governors on the platform of the party are kicking against the expulsion of Wike and his colleagues.
Those also expelled include a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; and Austin Nwachukwu. Others are the factional chairman of the party, Mohammed Abdulrahman; Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; Austine Nwachukwu; Abraham Amah; George Turner; and Chief Dan Orbih.
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BREAKING: PDP expels Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, others
The decision to expel them was taken at the PDP’s 20th National Convention at the main bowl of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. A motion for the expulsion was moved by the former National Vice Chairman of the party (South), Chief Olabode George, and seconded by the Bauchi PDP Chairman, Samaila Burga, before its eventual adoption by the party’s delegates.
Announcing the expulsion of Wike and other high-profile members via X on Saturday, the PDP said the decision was ratified by the majority of delegates at the convention.
The party explained that the move underscored its commitment to eradicating internal divisions and anti-party conduct that have hindered its progress.
Citing Articles 10(6) and 58(1)(b), (c), (f), (i), (j), (l), as well as 59(1)(g) of its 2017 Constitution (as amended), the PDP argued that the National Convention remains supreme in all matters relating to the party, including issues of discipline involving its officers and members.
The action against Wike and others had hardly taken roots when two state governors elected on the platform of the party-Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa) and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) immediately dissociated themselves from the expulsion. They said no one discussed the move with them, wondering how the expulsion would help the party.
Govs kick against Wike’s expulsion
Fintiri, while delivering his speech at the convention ground, said the absence of INEC officials at the event also necessitated his withdrawal from the exercise. “With the absence of INEC and the various litigations for and against this convention, it is not within my prerogative to continue with this exercise. I leave the convention delegates to decide,” Fintiri said.
The Adamawa governor further clarified his position in a statement shared on his verified X handle (@AhmaduUmaruFintiri). He described Wike’s expulsion as an action against the interest of the party and warned that it could plunge the PDP into an unending crisis. Fintiri urged party members to work towards unity and the reconciliation of aggrieved members.
The Plateau State governor, Mutfwang, also distanced himself from the disputed expulsion, arguing that the issue was neither discussed at the PDP Governors’ Forum nor at the party’s National Executive Council before it was presented. He maintained that the proposal did not represent his position on the matter. The governor’s stance was contained in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.
Mutfwang further observed that expelling party leaders at such a critical time was not a strategic approach to addressing the internal challenges facing the PDP. He reiterated the need for unity, dialogue, and collective effort in rebuilding and repositioning the party.
Two other party leaders who were expelled, Amah and Turner, also kicked against the party’s move, describing it as unlawful, procedurally defective, and a violation of subsisting court orders.
The controversies surrounding the alleged expulsion of Wike and other party faithful come on the heels of strong suspicion that the governors of Rivers, Osun, and Taraba states Siminalayi Fubara, Ademola Adeleke, and Cephas Agbu, respectively may quit the troubled party. Indications to this emerged as the three shunned the convention on Saturday. The Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Timothy Osadolor, said it was a signal that they could exit the party. The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, already said Kefas would join the party on Wednesday, November 19. Adeleke and Fubara are also said to be plotting escape from the PDP.
Not minding the confusion in its fold, PDP went ahead to elect a new set of officers, with Kabiru Turaki as the national chairman. The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, moved the motion for the convention to ratify and approve the elected executive committees of the party at various levels in states and zones where congresses had already been concluded. The motion was seconded by the National Auditor and member of the PDP National Working Committee, Daniel Okechukwu.
