The crisis engulfing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated sharply on Tuesday as the factional National Executive Committee (NEC) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ratified the expulsion of several high-profile party leaders, including three serving governors.
The Wike-backed NEC announced the expulsion of Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), and Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).
Also expelled were former PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, former National Vice Chairman Chief Bode George, and the newly elected National Chairman Kabiru Turaki, SAN.
Tuesday’s decision comes barely days after the rival PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, during which Wike and his loyalists were themselves expelled from the party—deepening the factional split.
The development triggered a tense standoff at the PDP national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, where both factions had scheduled parallel NEC and Board of Trustees meetings earlier in the day.
At its session in Abuja, the factional NEC further dissolved the state executive councils in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti States, directing the formation of caretaker committees and the conduct of fresh congresses.
Reading the communiqué, National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu said: “NEC received the report of the Acting National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, detailing breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1), including anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders, and conduct bringing the party into disrepute.
“NEC approved the commencement of disciplinary procedures against the following: Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben N. Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, Bala Mohammed, Oluseyi Makinde, Dauda Lawal, Taofiq Arapaja, Setonji Koshoedo, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Woyengikuro Daniel, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, Sumaila Adamu Burga, Umar Sani, Udom Emmanuel, and Emmanuel Enorden.”
The intensifying confrontation between PDP factions has raised fresh concerns about the party’s stability, with both camps insisting on their legitimacy and control of the national secretariat.
