ABUJA: The deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as the factional National Executive Committee (NEC) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the expulsion of several senior party leaders, including three serving governors.
At a parallel NEC meeting held at the PDP national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, the Wike-backed leadership ratified the removal of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.
Also expelled were former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former National Vice Chairman, Chief Bode George; and the newly elected National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
The latest development comes just days after the controversial national convention in Ibadan, where the Turaki-led leadership expelled Wike and several of his loyalists.
The move intensified the long-standing power tussle between both factions, culminating in Tuesday’s showdown at the party headquarters, where parallel NEC and Board of Trustees meetings were scheduled.
In addition to the expulsions, the factional NEC dissolved the PDP executive committees in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Lagos, Yobe, and Ekiti States, directing that caretaker committees be immediately constituted and fresh congresses conducted.
The decision, according to party sources, targets structures believed to be aligned with the Turaki faction.
Reading the communiqué after the meeting, National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu said the NEC reviewed a report submitted by the Acting National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, which cited violations of Articles 58(1) and 59(1) of the PDP Constitution.
The alleged offences included:
-
Anti-party activities
-
Disobedience to court orders
-
Actions considered injurious to the party’s stability and public image
The NEC also approved disciplinary proceedings against 18 prominent party members, including Ben Obi, Taofiq Arapaja, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, and former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.
The expulsion of sitting governors and longstanding party figures marks one of the most consequential escalations in the PDP’s internal conflict since the 2014 split that weakened the party ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Political observers warn that the current rift rooted in the unresolved fallout of the 2023 presidential election and control of the party’s national structure—may push the PDP further toward fragmentation ahead of 2027.
Meanwhile, the Turaki faction is expected to issue a formal response, with indications that legal actions and counter-sanctions may follow.
More updates are anticipated as the situation develops.
If
