Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was thrown into deeper turmoil on Saturday following the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and 10 other senior figures over alleged anti-party activities.
The decision was reached during the PDP’s 20th National Convention held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Others expelled included former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; and Austin Nwachukwu.
Also affected were the factional National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman; Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; Abraham Amah; George Turner; and Chief Dan Orbih.
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The motion for their removal was moved by former National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George, and seconded by Bauchi PDP Chairman, Samaila Burga.
Delegates additionally confirmed Umaru Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the party.
The development caused a split among governors aligned with Damagum, with Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri, and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, distancing themselves from the expulsions.
The party had been locked in a prolonged internal struggle between blocs loyal to Wike and Damagum ahead of the convention.
Tension heightened when former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, went to court after being denied a nomination form for the national chairmanship race.
On Friday, Justice Peter Lifu ordered the suspension of the convention and restrained INEC from recognising any convention excluding Lamido.
Justice Lifu ruled that Lamido had been unlawfully denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form.
The ruling mirrored an earlier decision issued on Tuesday by Justice James Omotosho, who also halted the convention.
Despite the subsisting orders, the Oyo State High Court had permitted the PDP to proceed with the convention on November 3.
Justice Ladiran Akintola directed INEC to monitor the exercise following an ex parte motion filed by a party member, Mr Folahan Adelabi.
The Damagum faction pressed ahead, insisting it was unaware of Justice Lifu’s latest ruling.
In a statement on X, the PDP said Wike and others were expelled for undermining the party in violation of its constitution.
South-West PDP Chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, said, “Wike and others were suspended for anti-party activities. They wanted to destroy the party, and we cannot allow that.”
Ajisafe, however, clarified that Lamido was not among those expelled, describing him as “a respected PDP leader”.
Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the convention as “drama”, claiming on X that participants only gathered for “a social party”.
Governor Fintiri publicly rejected the expulsion, saying, “With the absence of INEC and the various litigations, it is not within my prerogative to continue.”
Mutfwang also distanced himself, noting through his spokesperson that the matter was neither discussed by the PDP Governors’ Forum nor ratified by the NEC.
Expelled leaders Amah and Turner described the convention as unlawful and invalid due to subsisting court orders.
Amah said, “It is against the spirit of the law for them to go ahead. We are not part of what they have done.”
Meanwhile, Rivers, Osun, and Taraba governors—Fubara, Adeleke, and Agbu—boycotted the convention, fuelling speculation that they may leave the party.
The convention further dissolved PDP structures in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers, a move announced by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and ratified by delegates.
