By John Umeh
As Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, and their Cronies Expel from the Party
The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, exploded dramatically on Saturday as its national convention in Ibadan turned into a battleground of influence, loyalty, and power. In a stunning twist, a faction aligned with Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum announced the expulsion of several prominent members, including Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose, and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The move, orchestrated at the Lekan Salami Stadium, was initiated by party chieftain Chief Bode George and seconded by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed—a partnership that signaled just how deeply the party’s internal realignments have shifted.
Their decision swept out a notable list of influential figures such as National Legal Adviser Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, party stalwarts Umar Bature, Dan Orbih, Mao Ohuabunwa, Austin Nwachukwu, George Turner, AbdulRahman Mohammed, and Abraham Ammah.
The announcement immediately sent ripples across the convention ground, further entrenching the PDP’s reputation as a party struggling to tame its internal divisions.
Governors Split as Fintiri and Muftwang Reject the Decision
While the expulsions were greeted with loud approval from the Damagum-aligned faction, not all governors in attendance supported the action. Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang publicly distanced themselves from the expulsion, describing it as unnecessary and harmful to the party’s fragile cohesion.
Fintiri, in a post on X, warned that the PDP could not afford to fuel more crises. He argued that peace-building—not political purges—should guide the party at this critical moment.
Muftwang’s camp made a similar declaration, revealing that the issue was neither discussed nor sanctioned at any PDP Governors’ Forum meeting or NEC session. He stressed that the motion did not reflect his views or those of many other party leaders.
Tension Flares as Delegates Tear Down Posters
The emotional atmosphere intensified when some delegates vented their anger by ripping down posters belonging to governors who were absent from the event. The absence of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas generated palpable resentment among certain blocs of delegates, underscoring how factional loyalty is now overshadowing party unity.
Wike’s Camp Mocks the Convention
Meanwhile, allies of the FCT Minister wasted no time ridiculing the convention. Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, dismissed the entire event as a “social hangout” with no legal validity.
He said those announcing the expulsions were merely in Ibadan to “kick off Detty December in November,” claiming the gathering lacked the legitimacy to take disciplinary action against anyone. According to him, the announcements were nothing more than intoxicated chatter and held no weight within the PDP’s legal structure.
Convention Proceeds Amid Court Battles
Even with two Federal High Court rulings forbidding the PDP from holding a national convention until outstanding state congress disputes were resolved, the event continued under the cover of an Oyo State High Court ex parte order.
The convention opened with ceremonial flag presentations:
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Damagum received the PDP flag
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Convention Chairman Fintiri accepted the event flag
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Bala Mohammed received the Nigerian flag
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Host Governor Seyi Makinde received the Oyo State flag
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Senator Abba Moro and Hon. Fred Agbedi received legislative flags
Over 3,000 delegates from across the country were accredited earlier in the day, flooding Ibadan with political activities that began as early as Friday evening.
Imo PDP Chairman Rejects Expulsion, Calls Convention a Legal Nullity
Among those expelled, Imo PDP Chairman Austine Nwachukwu pushed back strongly, asserting that the convention had no legal standing in the first place. He referenced two binding Federal High Court rulings that halted any national convention, insisting that the event was fundamentally illegal.
Nwachukwu declared he would not challenge his expulsion because “you cannot sue over something that legally didn’t happen.” He criticized the organisers for relying on a state court order to bypass federal court instructions.
A Party at a Crossroads
The dramatic events in Ibadan have once again exposed the deep fractures that have plagued the PDP for years. With key governors disagreeing, expelled members rejecting the legitimacy of the process, and legal hurdles mounting, the party now faces one of the most uncertain moments in its history.
What was expected to be a unifying national convention has instead escalated into a full-blown internal confrontation—raising serious questions about the PDP’s stability, direction, and ability to regroup ahead of future national elections.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the party can mend these widening rifts or whether it is heading towards an irreversible split.
