By Muhammed Akindele
The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Tuesday as the factional National Executive Committee (NEC) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the expulsion of three serving governors and several senior party leaders.
At a meeting held at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, the faction ratified the expulsion of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal.
Also expelled were former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George; and the recently elected National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
The decision marks a dramatic escalation of the party’s leadership tussle, coming just days after the PDP national convention in Ibadan, where Wike and his allies were themselves expelled by the mainstream faction of the party.
Tuesday’s action reportedly followed heated confrontations earlier in the day after both factions scheduled parallel NEC and Board of Trustees meetings at the same venue. Supporters from both camps clashed verbally at the national secretariat as each side attempted to assert control of the party’s leadership structure.
In addition to the expulsions, the factional NEC announced the dissolution of party executive councils in six states — Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti.
It also directed the immediate constitution of caretaker committees and the conduct of fresh congresses in the affected states.
Reasons for the Expulsions
A communiqué issued after the meeting, read by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, accused the affected members of violating several sections of the PDP constitution.
“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,” the communiqué stated.
It added that formal disciplinary procedures had commenced against more senior party figures, including Senator Ben Obi, former Governor Udom Emmanuel, former Deputy National Chairman Taofiq Arapaja, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Umar Sani, and others.
