The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party took a deeper turn on Tuesday after the factional National Executive Committee aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, confirmed the expulsion of three sitting governors and several senior party figures. The announcement deepened the internal rupture that has pushed the opposition party into its most disruptive crisis in years.
The faction removed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal. It also struck out former Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, former National Vice Chairman Bode George, and the newly elected National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN. The decision followed the tense convention in Ibadan last Saturday, where Wike and his loyalists were themselves expelled, setting the stage for a fierce struggle over control of the party.
The clash reached a boiling point at the PDP’s national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, where both factions arrived for parallel NEC and Board of Trustees meetings. Tempers flared and security operatives struggled to contain loyalists from each side as the standoff threatened to spill outside the complex.
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The Wike-backed NEC proceeded with its session and moved to dissolve the executive committees in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti. It directed the appointment of caretaker bodies and the organisation of new congresses, arguing that the affected states could no longer guarantee credible internal administration.
A communiqué delivered by National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu stated that the NEC examined the Acting National Chairman’s report on alleged breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1). The report cited anti-party conduct, defiance of court orders, and acts said to have damaged the party’s public standing. The NEC approved the start of disciplinary proceedings against a long list of members, including Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben N. Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, 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 deepening feud has left party stakeholders warning of lasting damage if reconciliation efforts fail. More updates are expected as both factions prepare their next moves in a struggle that now threatens the PDP’s national structure.
