The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party escalated sharply on Tuesday as the factional National Executive Committee aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, approved the expulsion of several high-profile members, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal.
Also expelled were former PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former National Vice Chairman, Chief Bode George; and the newly elected National Chairman of the party, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
The latest action follows the controversial national convention held in Ibadan on Saturday, during which Wike and his allies were themselves expelled — a development that set the stage for Tuesday’s fierce confrontation between both factions at the party’s national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja. Each group had scheduled parallel NEC and Board of Trustees meetings at the venue.
Meeting at the Abuja secretariat, the factional NEC further dissolved the state executive councils in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti States. It directed the immediate formation of caretaker committees and the conduct of fresh congresses in the affected states.
Reading the communiqué issued after the meeting, National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu said:
“NEC received the report of the Acting National Chairman, Hon. 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.”
More details to follow…
