The turmoil engulfing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Tuesday as the faction aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, announced the expulsion of several top party leaders, including three sitting governors.
In a shock move, the Wike-backed National Executive Committee (NEC) expelled Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal. Also removed were former Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former South-West National Vice Chairman, Chief Bode George; and the newly elected National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN.
The announcement followed a turbulent day at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, where rival PDP factions clashed after scheduling parallel NEC and Board of Trustees meetings. The face-off came on the heels of Saturday’s controversial national convention in Ibadan, where Wike and his allies were themselves expelled — a decision they have now retaliated against.
At its meeting in Abuja, the factional NEC dissolved the state executive committees in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti States, directing the formation of caretaker committees and the conduct of fresh congresses to reset party structures in the affected states.
A communiqué issued by National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu said the NEC reviewed a report from Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed that accused the expelled members of violating Articles 58(1) and 59(1) of the party’s constitution. Allegations ranged from anti-party activities to disobedience of court orders and actions deemed damaging to the party’s reputation.
The communiqué listed the individuals facing disciplinary action, including Wabara, George, Turaki, Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal, and several other senior party figures.
Tuesday’s expulsions mark one of the most dramatic escalations yet in the PDP’s internal conflict - a power struggle that now threatens the party’s national cohesion and its prospects ahead of future political contests.
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