The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, has plunged deeper into crisis after the expulsion of several high-profile figures, including Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State; and Samuel Anyanwu, former National Secretary of the party. Their expulsion was announced at the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, marking a major escalation in the simmering conflict that has split the PDP into two fiercely warring factions.
The Dramatic Expulsion Motion
The decision to expel the trio and others was spearheaded by Chief Olabode George, former National Vice Chairman (South) of the PDP. During the convention, George moved the motion to expel, arguing that their actions had undermined the unity and integrity of the party. The motion was immediately supported by Hon. Samaila Buga, Chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State, and subsequently affirmed by the convention.
This decisive move effectively puts an end to the months-long internal wrangling where the Wike-led faction had allegedly positioned itself as an adversary to the mainstream leadership of the PDP. For many party loyalists, the expulsion represented both a cathartic cleansing and a risky gamble.
Legal Battle and Court Rulings
In the days leading up to the convention, the Wike faction had sought to thwart the gathering by obtaining a court injunction that would prevent the Ibadan exercise from taking place. However, their attempt failed when the PDP secured a favorable ruling at the Oyo State High Court, which granted permission for the convention to proceed.
This legal victory emboldened the convention organizers, who now felt secure in proceeding, despite the looming threats of parallel leadership and potential legal challenges after the fact.
The Loyal Opposition: Wike Camp’s Disdain
For the camp loyal to Wike, the convention—and the expulsion that resulted—was little more than what they called a “charade.” Mao Ohuabunwa, former senator and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Wike-led faction, scoffed at the Ibadan convention, saying it was simply a “jamboree” with no legal standing.
“Anyone going to Ibadan in the name of a convention should consider it a jamboree,” Ohuabunwa said in a public statement shortly before the meeting commenced. He insisted that the faction had decided that the convention was an illegitimate process, owing to various court rulings he claimed invalidated it.
Samuel Anyanwu, who was part of the expelled group, had also issued a memo that directed members to ignore the Ibadan proceedings, arguing that the convention had been postponed and was not in compliance with the party’s constitutional framework.
Calls for Boycott
Abdulrahman Muhammad, the acting National Chairman of the Wike-led faction, reinforced this message by urging delegates across the country to stay away from the convention.
“We are concerned with moving PDP forward; therefore, all delegates across the country should stay away from the Ibadan convention,” Muhammad said. His defiance underscored the deep factionalism tearing the party apart.
Wike’s Defiant Posture
Nyesom Wike himself, at the center of the controversy, has remained unbowed in the face of his expulsion. Known for his combative style and unfiltered political rhetoric, Wike thanked supporters in his faction and pledged to remain faithful to the party constitution.
“I am happy with your concern about the party in your respective areas. I will continue to support you. I won’t betray you people,” he said in a statement issued shortly before news of his expulsion became public.
Wike maintained that his group had always acted within the confines of the law and reaffirmed his commitment to defending the party from what he sees as unlawful actions by the current leadership.
The Convention: Unity or Further Splitting?
The convention itself, held in the ancient city of Ibadan, was attended by key party leaders, delegates from most states, and observers hoping for a turning point in the PDP’s fractious journey. The atmosphere, laden with a mix of celebration and tension, was reflective of the party’s desperation to reassert its authority and reclaim its place in Nigeria’s political landscape.
With the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), facing mounting criticism on economic and security issues, the PDP had hoped to position itself as a ready alternative. But internal battles such as this only serve to weaken its posture.
One PDP veteran at the convention lamented, “We’re supposed to be united, offering Nigerians a clear path forward. Instead, we’re tearing ourselves apart. This crisis is self-inflicted.”
The Future of the Expelled Leaders
The expulsion of figures like Wike and Fayose will undoubtedly have ripple effects across Nigeria's political alignments. Wike’s influence in Rivers State and across the South-South region remains formidable, and observers speculate that he may align with other opposition forces or even form his own political movement.
Fayose, a populist figure known for his charismatic connection to grassroots voters in Ekiti and beyond, may also galvanize support for a rival front. Samuel Anyanwu, with his own regional influence in the southeast, could anchor alliances that might further weaken the PDP.
Whether this expulsion marks the end of their political influence within the PDP or is merely the opening salvo in a greater intra-party war remains to be seen. Already, some within the party believe that the decision was hasty and could lead to further fragmentation.
The PDP’s Crossroads
The expulsion signals a dramatic turning point for the PDP, once a dominant force in Nigerian politics. After losing the presidency in 2015 and suffering repeated internal crises, the party has struggled to present itself as a credible alternative.
Internal democracy, discipline, and loyalty to the constitution were key themes throughout the Ibadan convention. But critics argue that the leadership has chosen political expediency over genuine reconciliation. The division is now often framed not as a mere disagreement over strategy, but as an existential threat to the party’s future.
Even as the PDP tried to project normalcy at the convention, the underlying fractures revealed an organization at war with itself.
Conclusion: Danger and Opportunity
As the dust settles after the Ibadan convention, the PDP finds itself at a crossroads. The expulsion of powerful figures like Wike and Fayose may temporarily provide a sense of control, but it also risks alienating large swaths of its base. The question now is whether the party can weather the storm and heal—or whether this schism will be the beginning of its political unraveling.
In the coming months, all eyes will be on how the party leadership manages the fallout, bridges the divide, and rebuilds its internal trust. If the PDP hopes to regain power at the national level, it must find a way to reconcile internal differences, enforce constitutionally-backed leadership, and present a united front to the Nigerian people.
These are uncertain times for a once-formidable political force. The decisions made now could define its identity for years to come.