The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, its suspended National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, in a sweeping disciplinary action that further exposed deep cracks within the opposition party.
The expulsions were ratified at the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, amid longstanding power tussles between rival factions.
Also expelled were top party figures including Umar Bature, Ajibade Kamarudeen, Mao Ohabunwa, Uwachukwu, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Austin Nwachukwu, and Abraham Amah.
The motion for the expulsion was moved by former National Vice-Chairman (South), Olabode George, and seconded by Samaila Buga, chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State.
The decision was subsequently put to a voice vote by Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
The development marks the latest escalation in a fierce battle for control of the PDP. Wike’s faction had moved to stop the convention through the courts, but the party secured a high court judgment in Oyo permitting it to go ahead.
Reacting before the convention, Mao Ohabunwa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Wike-led faction, dismissed the Ibadan gathering as illegal, calling it a “jamboree” that would have no legal effect.
According to him, a circular had already been issued by Anyanwu announcing the postponement of the convention.
“We have met as the National Working Committee and agreed to obey all court decisions on the Ibadan convention. We are not part of the exercise,” he said.
He warned that no faction should “abuse the constitution in the name of a convention,” insisting that anyone travelling to Ibadan was merely “going to relax”.
Similarly, Mohammed Abdulrahman, acting national chairman of the faction, urged loyal delegates nationwide to boycott the convention, saying the group was committed to “moving the PDP forward” and would continue mobilising across all states.
Wike, in a separate message to his loyalists, praised them for standing firm in their states and vowed not to abandon them.
“I will continue to support you. I won’t betray you,” he said, adding that his camp would always uphold the rule of law and resist intimidation.
The expulsions highlight the severity of the PDP’s internal rift, with both camps laying claim to legitimacy and accusing each other of violating the party’s constitution.
As the crisis widens, analysts believe the opposition party faces an uphill battle ahead of future electoral contests unless it urgently resolves its leadership battles and competing centres of power.
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