PDP issues expulsion certificates to Wike, Fayose, others as 2027 political battlelines form

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified its internal shake-up ahead of the 2027 general elections, formally issuing expulsion certificates to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and several other prominent members earlier expelled at the party’s national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a statement posted on its official X handle, the PDP confirmed that the certificates were handed out during a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja. The meeting also marked the moment Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum officially transferred leadership to Senator Kabiru Turaki.

The expulsion of Wike and others had been ratified at the party’s November 16 convention, following allegations of anti-party activities.

Speaking after the NWC meeting, Turaki said the committee had thoroughly reviewed the cases of all expelled members. He noted that the party acted in line with the law to avoid any controversies over political party membership.

“We have taken note of the fact that Nigerian law frowns on dual membership of political parties, and so we have sought to make it easy for them,” he explained.

“Now that they are no longer members of our party, and now that the National Convention, which is the highest decision-making organ of our party, has expelled them, we have decided to issue them certificates of expulsion.

“So that, when they go to register with other political parties in Nigeria, they will show these certificates as proof that they are no longer members of the PDP, and so those parties will not accuse them of trying to belong to more than one political party.”

According to the party, the certificates have already been dispatched by courier to the affected individuals. They include Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade (SAN), Abdurahman Muhammad, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah Nnanna, George Turna, and Chief Dan Orbih.

Turaki added that the decision was necessary to formally alert Nigerians and relevant institutions such as INEC and security agencies of the members’ new status. He declared.

“The Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other government agencies should know that these people are no longer members of our party. They have been expelled. They remain expelled. We have now certified their expulsion, and these certificates have been sent to them.”

He further disclosed that the PDP would soon issue public disclaimers, cautioning that any individual or organisation engaging with the expelled members “does so at his or her own risk.”

“We hope that members of the PDP in Nigeria and the diaspora will know that the party has once again gotten rid of the cankerworms that have been afflicting and creating problems for us in our activities,” he added.