The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) plunged into deep turmoil on Saturday following the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, along with ten other senior leaders at its 20th National Convention held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State. Party authorities cited anti-party activities as the reason for the expulsion, but the decision immediately provoked rebellion from governors and senior party members, raising serious concerns about the party’s unity and stability ahead of future elections.
Other key figures expelled include former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, Austin Nwachukwu, factional chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Abraham Amah, George Turner, and Chief Dan Orbih. The expulsion motion was formally presented by former National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George, and seconded by Bauchi State PDP Chairman Samaila Burga before being ratified by the majority of convention delegates.
In addition to these disciplinary actions, delegates unanimously confirmed Umaru Damagum as the substantive National Chairman, a move that intensified internal divisions, particularly among governors aligned with opposing factions. Notably, Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, who chaired the National Organizing Committee for the convention, and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang publicly dissociated themselves from the expulsion, signaling early fractures in the party’s leadership cohesion.
Pre-Convention Legal Battles and Factional Strife
The PDP has been embroiled in internal disputes in the months leading to the convention, with Wike’s supporters clashing with those loyal to Damagum over control of party structures. These disagreements culminated in a high-profile legal battle when former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido approached the Federal High Court in Abuja. Lamido sought redress after being allegedly denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest for the PDP National Chairmanship, prompting Justice Peter Lifu to issue an order suspending the convention and restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognizing any convention conducted without Lamido as a candidate.
This ruling followed a previous injunction by Justice Lifu on November 11, 2025, and aligned with an earlier decision by Justice James Omotosho on October 31, emphasizing the judiciary’s repeated insistence on procedural fairness. Despite these federal court orders, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan issued a conflicting ruling permitting the convention to proceed, directing INEC to monitor the elections. Citing lack of awareness of the Abuja court order, Damagum’s faction continued with the event, escalating the tension between competing party factions.
Expulsion Justification and Reactions
Announcing the expulsions, PDP officials cited Articles 10(6) and 58(1)(b), (c), (f), (i), (j), (l), and 59(1)(g) of the PDP Constitution, emphasizing the National Convention’s supremacy in disciplinary matters. South-West PDP Chairman Kamorudeen Ajisafe stated that Wike and others were removed due to anti-party activities that threatened the party’s stability. He clarified that Lamido, despite his litigation efforts, was not included in the expulsion, framing his actions as a grievance over procedural timelines rather than deliberate sabotage.
Meanwhile, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications, dismissed the convention as a “social gathering,” claiming participants treated the event more as a celebration than a legitimate political process. His remarks reflected the deepening skepticism among opposing party leaders regarding the legitimacy of the Ibadan convention.
Governors Break Ranks
The decision to expel Wike triggered immediate dissent from prominent governors. Adamawa State Governor Umaru Fintiri withdrew from supporting the expulsion, citing the absence of INEC officials and ongoing litigation as reasons for his non-participation. Fintiri described the move as harmful to party interests and warned it could plunge the PDP into a prolonged crisis. He called on party stakeholders to prioritize reconciliation and unity.
Similarly, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang dissociated himself from the decision, emphasizing that it was neither discussed in the PDP Governors’ Forum nor at the National Executive Council. Mutfwang criticized the expulsion as strategically unsound and stressed the importance of dialogue and collective effort to rebuild party cohesion.
Other expelled members, including Abraham Amah and George Turner, rejected the decision, labeling it unlawful, procedurally defective, and inconsistent with court directives. Amah highlighted that the ongoing litigation, which had reached the Court of Appeal, rendered the convention “an aberration,” while Turner dismissed the gathering as a social event lacking legitimacy due to INEC’s absence. Acting Publicity Secretary of South-South PDP, Enyinnaya Appolos, echoed these concerns, stating that the convention defied federal court judgments and lacked the procedural foundation necessary for legal sustainability.
Political Implications and Potential Defections
The convention’s fallout has broader implications for the PDP’s political stability. Governors of Rivers, Osun, and Taraba states—Siminalayi Fubara, Ademola Adeleke, and Cephas Agbu—shunned the event, fueling speculation about potential defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor suggested that the absence of these governors signaled possible exits, pointing to internal factional hostility and attempts to undermine re-election bids as motivating factors.
Osadolor dismissed the Ibadan convention as void and without legal weight, noting the absence of INEC and challenging the organizers’ authority to compel recognition of their decisions. He argued that the gathering’s proceedings could not override judicial mandates and warned that party leaders risked public embarrassment and political damage if they continued to legitimize the event.
Dissolution of Party Structures
In addition to expelling members, the PDP dissolved party structures in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde moved the motion to ratify elected executives at various levels where congresses had already been concluded. Seconded by National Auditor Daniel Okechukwu, Makinde emphasized that the dissolution aimed to maintain compliance with party guidelines and the Electoral Act 2022 while standardizing internal governance. The decision authorized the official publication of these changes to inform the public and stakeholders.
Makinde noted that prior congresses had been conducted in line with legal and constitutional frameworks, with approvals from the National Executive Committee and National Working Committee. However, the dissolution of these state structures added another layer of tension, with critics arguing that such moves could disenfranchise members and further destabilize the party at a critical juncture.
The expulsion of Nyesom Wike and other senior PDP leaders, combined with the dissolution of state structures, has cast a shadow over the party’s future. Governors and influential members have publicly rejected the decisions, while legal disputes continue to cloud the legitimacy of the convention. Analysts warn that unless the PDP undertakes sincere reconciliation efforts and restores adherence to judicial rulings, the party risks long-term fragmentation, defections, and a diminished capacity to challenge the ruling APC in upcoming elections.
The events in Ibadan serve as a reminder of the fragility of party cohesion in Nigeria’s political landscape and highlight the ongoing struggle for power and influence within the PDP, a party that has historically been a central force in national politics but now faces one of its most critical internal tests.
