The internal turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party, one of Nigeria’s major political organisations, deepened dramatically on Tuesday as a factional National Executive Committee aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, endorsed the expulsion of several top-ranking political leaders across the country. Okay News reports that the decision marked another intensification of the struggle for dominance within the party ahead of crucial national political transitions.
In its resolution, the faction affirmed the removal of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal. The faction also confirmed the expulsion of Senator Adolphus Wabara, who previously served as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees; former National Vice Chairman Olabode George; and the recently elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
This escalation followed the controversial convention of the Peoples Democratic Party held in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, where Wike and several of his supporters were reportedly removed from the party. The fallout from that convention set the stage for Tuesday’s heated confrontation at the national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, located in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, where rival blocs scheduled simultaneous National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees meetings.
According to information from the Wike-aligned bloc, the factional National Executive Committee convened at the party headquarters and proceeded to dissolve the existing state executive councils in Oyo State, Bauchi State, Zamfara State, Yobe State, Lagos State, and Ekiti State. It directed that caretaker committees be established and that new congresses be organised to rebuild leadership structures in the affected states.
A communiqué read by the National Secretary of the group, Senator Sam Anyanwu, stated:
“NEC received the report of the Acting National Chairman, Honourable 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.
“NEC approved the commencement of disciplinary procedures against the following: Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben N. Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, 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 crisis, which has drawn national and international attention, is expected to shape the country’s political landscape as Nigeria positions itself for major future electoral developments.
