PDP turmoil deepens as Wike-aligned NEC expels three governors, top party leaders
The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated sharply on Tuesday as the factional National Executive Committee (NEC) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, approved the expulsion of three sitting governors and several senior party figures.
Those expelled include Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal. Also removed were former Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, ex–National Vice Chairman Bode George, and newly elected National Chairman Kabiru Turaki, SAN.
The sweeping action comes on the heels of Saturday’s controversial national convention in Ibadan, where Wike and his allies were themselves expelled—an event that set the stage for the fierce confrontation that unfolded at the PDP national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja. On Tuesday, both factions arrived to hold parallel NEC and BoT meetings, heightening tensions within the party.
During its session at the secretariat, the Wike-backed NEC also announced the dissolution of state executive councils in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti, ordering the immediate formation of caretaker committees and the organisation of fresh congresses.
Reading the communiqué from the meeting, National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu said the NEC reviewed allegations presented by Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, who cited violations of Articles 58(1) and 59(1) of the party’s constitution, including anti-party activities, defiance of court orders, and actions allegedly damaging to the party’s reputation.
He added that the NEC had approved disciplinary proceedings against a long list of party leaders, including Adolphus Wabara, Bode George, Ben Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, Bala Mohammed, Seyi 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 development marks one of the most dramatic escalations yet in the PDP’s deepening internal rift, raising fresh concerns about the party’s stability ahead of future political contests.
