Nyesom WikeNational leadership hands over as the party formalizes expulsions, alerts security agencies, and braces for intensified internal disputes
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party has formally issued expulsion certificates to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and several other prominent figures removed from the party during its November 16 national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The certificates were presented on Tuesday at the NWC meeting in Abuja, where Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum officially transferred leadership to Senator Kabiru Turaki. In a statement released on the party’s X platform, the PDP confirmed that the move followed the convention’s ratification of the expulsions over allegations of anti-party activities.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Turaki emphasized that the committee had reviewed all matters relating to members sanctioned by the convention. He explained that the issuance of expulsion certificates was necessary to ensure legal and administrative clarity, especially in line with Nigerian laws barring individuals from holding dual membership in political parties.
According to him, the certificates provide clear documentation for expelled members should they seek registration in other political platforms.
“Now that they are no longer members of our party, and since the National Convention, our highest decision-making body, has expelled them, we have decided to certify these decisions,” Turaki said. “This prevents any misunderstandings or accusations of dual party membership when they approach other political parties.”
Nyesom Wike's Expulsion Certificate The certificates, he added, were dispatched by courier to the affected individuals, including:
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 also stated that the PDP would notify relevant national institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and various security agencies, of the updated membership status of the expelled politicians.
“We want the Nigeria Police, DSS, NSCDC and other agencies to be fully aware that these individuals are no longer members of our party. They remain expelled,” he said.
He hinted that public disclaimers would soon follow, stressing that those dealing with the affected individuals on behalf of the PDP “do so at their own risk.” Turaki described the expulsions as part of ongoing efforts to cleanse the party of elements he said had continually undermined its stability.
“The PDP is focused on rebuilding and repositioning itself to offer Nigerians credible leadership ahead of 2027,” he noted.
However, the expulsions have deepened divisions within the party. The process has been widely criticized for allegedly disregarding existing court orders that restricted the conduct of the Ibadan convention pending the resolution of legal disputes surrounding state congresses.
In response, a faction loyal to Wike, led by suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and factional National Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, dismissed the Ibadan gathering as illegitimate. On November 18, the group convened a parallel National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, during which it similarly announced the expulsion of several prominent PDP leaders.
Their list included Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), former Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, Senator Turaki, and elder statesman Chief Bode George. They were accused of anti-party activities and of violating court directives.
With both camps issuing opposing expulsions and questioning each other’s legitimacy, the PDP now finds itself in one of its most turbulent phases in recent years. As the 2027 election cycle approaches, party stakeholders and observers alike are watching closely to see whether reconciliation, restructuring, or further fragmentation lies ahead.
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