PDP Convention: Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu Expelled Amid Fierce Factional Battle

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; and the party’s former National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, as the deepening internal crisis took centre stage at its national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The motion for their expulsion was moved by the former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP (South), Chief Olabode George, and seconded by Hon. Samaila Burga, Chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State.

The decision came despite intense legal and political attempts by the Wike-led faction to stop the exercise.

The Wike faction had sought to halt the convention through various court orders, but the party secured a favourable judgement at an Oyo State High Court, allowing the gathering to proceed.

In the days leading up to the event, the faction’s leaders launched scathing attacks, insisting the convention had “no legal standing.”

Mao Ohuabunwa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Wike-led bloc, derided the exercise, insisting it held no legitimacy.

“Anyone going to Ibadan in the name of a convention should consider it a jamboree,” he said.

He claimed that the faction had already agreed to abide by existing court decisions and had no part in the Ibadan gathering.

“We have met as the National Working Committee of PDP and reviewed our activities. We have agreed to obey all court decisions on the Ibadan convention. So, we are not part of the exercise.”

Ohuabunwa said acting National Secretary, Anyanwu, had already issued a circular postponing the convention, accusing party leaders of “flagrant abuse of the constitution.”

The faction’s acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Muhammad, also warned delegates to shun the Ibadan event.

“We are concerned with moving PDP forward, therefore all delegates across the country should stay away from the Ibadan convention,” he said.

He vowed continued mobilisation across all 36 states and the FCT to build what he termed “a strong and united PDP.”

Reacting to the turmoil, Wike commended his loyalists for “defending the PDP” in their respective states.

He insisted that his camp would not bow to intimidation and would continue to uphold due process.

“I am happy with your concern about the party in your respective areas,” he said. “I will continue to support you people. I won’t betray you people.”

Wike maintained that his faction remained committed to the PDP constitution and would resist what he described as unconstitutional actions.

Saturday’s expulsion marks one of the boldest moves yet in a crisis that has split the PDP into two dominant factions, one aligned with Wike, and the other with established members pushing for internal reforms.

As both camps continue to trade accusations and cite conflicting court orders, the legitimacy of the Ibadan convention and the future direction of the opposition party remain uncertain.