The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Samuel Anyanwu, the party’s suspended National Secretary and Ayo Fayose, former Governor of Ekiti State.
The decision was formally announced on Saturday during the PDP national convention held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Others expelled include Umar Bature, Ajibade Kamarudeen, Mao Ohabunwa, Uwachukwu, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Austin Nwachukwu, and Abraham Amah.
The motion for their expulsion was moved by Olabode George, former National Vice-Chairman (South) of the PDP, and seconded by Samaila Buga, chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State.
Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, subsequently put the motion to a voice vote, through which the expulsions were affirmed.
The Wike-led faction of the PDP had attempted to stop the convention through the court, but the party secured a judgment from a high court in Oyo State permitting the convention to proceed.
Mao Ohabunwa, chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Wike faction, dismissed the event, saying anyone travelling to Ibadan for the convention would merely be “going there to relax,” insisting the exercise would not have legal recognition.
He mocked the convention, calling it a “jamboree,” and advised attendees to “have fun” in Ibadan.
According to him, Anyanwu had already issued a circular notifying members of a purported postponement of the convention.
“We have met as the national working committee of PDP and reviewed our activities. We have agreed to obey all the court decisions on the Ibadan convention. So, we are not part of the exercise,” Ohabunwa said.
“Ibadan is a public place; people can go for anything but not for convention. Anyone going there in the name of convention should consider it a jamboree.”
“We won’t tolerate flagrant abuse of the constitution by some individuals in the name of a convention,” he added.
Mohammed Abdulrahman, acting national chairman of the faction, also urged delegates to boycott the convention, saying they should wait for “the right time.”
“We are concerned with moving PDP forward; therefore, all delegates across the country should stay away from the Ibadan convention,” Abdulrahman said.
He added that he would continue mobilising members across the 36 states and the FCT to strengthen a united PDP.
Wike, meanwhile, praised his loyalists for standing firm within the party and promised continued support.
“I am happy with your concern about the party in your respective areas. I will continue to support you people; I won’t betray you people,” he said.
He maintained that his camp would always uphold the rule of law and would not be intimidated.
