The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, over alleged anti-party activities.
Also expelled through a unanimous decision at the National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, were the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; Abdurahman Muhammed; Mao Ohuambuwa; George Turner; Austin Nwachukwu; Abraham Ammah, and Dan Orbih.
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The motion to expel the members was moved by Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the party, and was seconded by Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed.
However, the party, through consensus, adopted Ambassador Umar Damagun as its National Chairman. He was sustained as the party’s National Chairman for continuity of tenure in office.
The Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, venue of the convention, was filled to capacity as PDP members, supporters, and delegates thronged the stadium in colourful attires, banners, and party insignia.
The convention formally commenced with the presentation of flags to key party leaders. Governor Umar Fintri, who chaired the convention, alongside the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagun, received the national convention flag.
Senator Natasha Akpoti led other senators to receive the Senate flag, while Hon. Fred Agbedi received the House of Representatives flag on behalf of PDP lawmakers.
Governor Seyi Makinde, the host, received the hosting flag, and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, took delivery of the Nigerian flag, symbolising the peaceful commencement of the event.
Among those in attendance were former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara; member of the BoT and former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George; members of the National Working Committee; serving National Assembly members, and several PDP governors, including Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, and Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, Governor Fintiri of Adamawa State, Senator Ahmed Ringin, among others.
Declaring the convention open, Ambassador Damagun praised the dedication of party members who travelled across the country to participate.
“This shows that your commitment to this party is unrivaled. I welcome you all to Ibadan—the 2025 national convention of our party, the most popular party in Africa,” he said.
In his welcome address, Governor Makinde expressed optimism that the gathering would mark a turning point for the PDP.
“By the grace of God, this convention will be remembered as the convention that turns around the PDP nationally,” he stated.
Cultural troupes from the 36 states entertained attendees, while security was heavily reinforced by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies.
In his remarks, Governor Fintiri noted that Nigerians were still looking up to the PDP to continue with its role of leadership, adding that the convention gave the party the opportunity to answer that call.
Fintiri said: “Today again, I am deeply bound to call on our attention on the definition of what the Peoples Democratic Party stands for, a party solidly founded on the tenets of courage and democratic ideals to rescue Nigeria.
“It must, at all times, never veer off from the course of our fundamental tenets. Nigeria and Nigerians are still looking up to us to play that role that has always been our tradition. We have an opportunity, especially with this convention, to answer this call.
“To take up this call, we must agree that as a party, we have a huge responsibility to reinvent ourselves. We must admit that whatever bad that has happened to Nigeria over the past few years has also happened to our party.
“Fractured commitment, minimum party loyalty and disoriented thought, which has left us disunited and disheartened. In the midst of all these, some of us have left, yet some of us have remained.
“The soul of the party is still intact because there are men and women who believe in the party’s fundamental tenets, which are embedded in its rescue mission and its capacity to give Nigeria true democratic governance.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on all members that have left the party to return back home. I share in their credits, but I also understand that they are more frustrated where they are and have gone to. Yes, we have had our own struggles, but we must also remember that we have had our good times.
“It is sad that we are off to a good course. What we need is the fixed unity of purpose and better resolve and courage to soldier on beyond the election of our national officers.
“As the chairman of the NCOC, it is not within my purview to go on with this exercise.”
Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not on ground to monitor the elective convention, independent observers were on the ground to monitor it.
Meanwhile, a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), was yesterday elected as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Ambassador Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja emerged as the National Secretary.
Turaki, an indigene of Kebbi State, and Arapaja, from Oyo State, emerged at the national convention of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State, where delegates from 17 states across the country cast their votes to choose national officers.
All though, Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), and Kefas (Taraba), were not sighted at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, venue of the convention, the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and his Plateau State counterpart, Caleb Mutfwang, have distanced themselves from the expulsion of the FCT minister and other PDP leaders.
Wike’s Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, has also mocked the main opposition party, saying that those who announced the minister’s expulsion were intoxicated.
This is just as the Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has formally announced that he would defect from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, marking one of the most significant political realignments in the North-east ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party, which held its national elective convention amidst conflicting court orders, has been embroiled in crisis since the 2023 presidential election and also has been factionalised since the build-up to the national elective convention held on Saturday and Sunday.
The scheduled convention had split the party into two factions led by Amb. Umar Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, respectively.
While the Abuja High Court had stopped the party’s national convention twice, the Ibadan High Court had also twice given the go-ahead for the party to hold its convention.