PDP Crisis Deepens as Wike-Backed NEC Expels Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Turaki, Wabara, Others

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as the factional National Executive Committee (NEC) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ratified the expulsion of Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.

The faction also expelled former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former National Vice Chairman, Chief Bode George; and the newly elected National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, among others.

The decision follows the highly contentious PDP national convention held in Ibadan on Saturday, during which Wike and his loyalists were themselves expelled by the opposing faction. The fallout from that convention culminated in Tuesday’s violent showdown at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, where both camps had scheduled parallel NEC and Board of Trustees meetings.

At its meeting held at the secretariat, the Wike-backed NEC also dissolved the party’s state executive councils in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti, directing the immediate constitution of caretaker committees and the conduct of fresh congresses.

A communiqué issued after the meeting and read by factional National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, accused the expelled leaders of violating multiple provisions of the PDP constitution.

According to the communiqué:

“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.”

The NEC subsequently approved the commencement of disciplinary action against a long list of party leaders, including:
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.

Tuesday’s parallel meetings, clashes between supporters, and heavy police presence underline the depth of the PDP’s internal fractures, with both factions insisting on legitimacy ahead of crucial political timelines.

The party remains locked in an escalating battle for control, with no sign yet of compromise