The Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday expelled Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Ayo Fayose, former Ekiti governor; and Samuel Anyanwu, its suspended national secretary.
The decision was taken during the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Other members removed from the party include Umar Bature, Ajibade Kamarudeen, Mao Ohabunwa, Uwachukwu, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Austin Nwachukwu and Abraham Amah.
The motion for the expulsions was moved by former PDP national vice-chairman (South), Olabode George, and seconded by Samaila Buga, Bauchi State PDP chairman.
Bala Mohammed, Bauchi governor and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, conducted the voice vote that sealed the decision.
The development comes amid an intense internal battle between factions loyal to Wike and the mainstream PDP leadership.
Ahead of the convention, the Wike-led faction attempted to stop the exercise through court actions, arguing that the convention violated existing legal orders.
However, the party secured a favourable judgment from a high court in Oyo State, enabling the gathering to proceed.
Mao Ohabunwa, chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Wike faction, dismissed the Ibadan convention as “a jamboree,” insisting it held no legal backing. He said members who attended did so “for relaxation,” not for a valid party activity.
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He maintained that his faction had already resolved to obey all court rulings affecting the convention and would not participate.
Mohammed Abdulrahman, acting national chairman of the faction, also asked party delegates nationwide to shun the event, claiming it was not in the party’s best interest.
He reiterated commitment to rebuilding a unified PDP while mobilising members across the 36 states and the FCT.
Wike, on his part, praised loyal members for standing by his group, assuring them of continued support and adherence to the rule of law.
“I will not betray you. We will always uphold the rule of law and will not bow to intimidation,” he said.
