PDP crisis deepens as Wike-loyal NEC expels Makinde, Bala, Turaki, others

Abdullateef Fowewe

The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated sharply on Tuesday when the factional National Executive Committee (NEC) loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ratified the expulsion of several top party figures.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State were among those expelled alongside former Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, former National Vice Chairman Bode George, and recently elected party National Chairman Kabiru Turaki, SAN.

This factional move came days after the controversial PDP national convention in Ibadan, where Wike and his allies were expelled by the opposing faction.

The party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, became the scene of a fiery confrontation as parallel NEC and Board of Trustees meetings unfolded.

A communiqué read by National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu revealed the grounds for expulsion citing “breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1), including anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders, and conduct bringing the party into disrepute.”

The NEC also dissolved state executive councils in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti states, calling for caretaker committees and fresh congresses.

This intense power struggle follows the PDP national convention held on November 15 in Ibadan, where the Makinde faction took a hard stance against internal discord by expelling Wike and other prominent members.

According to reports, the PDP’s official statement on X declared, “National Convention Takes Decisive Action – Expels Nyesom Wike, Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and Others for Anti-Party Activities.”

The decision aimed to “restore unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections.”