By John Umeh
The Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday formally issued expulsion certificates to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and several other prominent members earlier removed from the party at its national convention in Ibadan.
The certificates were distributed during a meeting of the National Working Committee in Abuja, where Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, formally handed over party leadership duties to Senator Kabiru Turaki. The development was later confirmed in a statement posted on the PDP’s official X account.
Formalising Expulsion Amid Party Turmoil
The expelled members — whose removal was ratified on November 16 over allegations of anti-party conduct — are now considered legally and publicly severed from the PDP.
Speaking after the meeting, Senator Turaki said the expulsion certificates were necessary to clear any ambiguity surrounding the status of the affected individuals.
According to him, the decision was guided by Nigerian law, which prohibits dual political party membership.
“Now that these individuals have been expelled by our National Convention — the highest decision-making organ of the PDP — we have issued certificates to formally document their disengagement,” Turaki said.
“This ensures that when they register with other political parties, they can present proof that they are no longer members of the PDP.”
He added that the certificates were already dispatched to all affected members through courier services.
Those listed include:
Nyesom Wike, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade (SAN), Abdurahman Muhammad, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah Nnanna, George Turna, and Chief Dan Orbih.
Security Agencies, INEC Notified
Turaki said the latest action is designed not only to inform the public but also to formally alert national institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“These bodies need to know that the expelled individuals are no longer PDP members. They remain expelled, and this certification puts the matter beyond dispute,” he said.
The party also plans to publish public disclaimers, warning political actors and institutions that engagements with the expelled members are undertaken “at their own risk.”
PDP Declares a ‘Fresh Start’
Turaki described the exercise as part of a broader effort to cleanse and reposition the PDP for stability as the 2027 elections draw nearer.
“We have removed the cankerworms that have been causing problems within the party,” he said.
“The PDP is now focused on delivering credible leadership to Nigerians at home and abroad.”
A Party Divided: Faction Rejects Convention Outcome
Despite the PDP’s position, the expulsion remains heavily contested.
A faction loyal to Nyesom Wike — led by suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and factional chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman — has rejected the Ibadan convention as illegal. They argue that the convention violated existing court orders halting all national party activities pending the resolution of disputes over parallel state congresses.
In retaliation, the Wike-backed group held its own NEC meeting on November 18 in Abuja, where it announced the expulsion of several top PDP figures, including:
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Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde
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Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed
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Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal
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Former BOT Chairman Adolphus Wabara
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Senator Kabiru Turaki
The faction accused them of anti-party activities and disobedience to court directives.
Crisis Far From Over
Analysts say the issuance of expulsion certificates marks a new escalation in the PDP’s internal crisis — one that may trigger prolonged legal battles, conflicting claims to party leadership, and continued fragmentation ahead of national elections.
The party leadership insists it is moving forward. But with rival factions issuing parallel expulsions, the struggle for the PDP’s soul appears far from settled.
