A major shake-up hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday as a faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced the expulsion of several prominent party leaders, including three sitting governors namely Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.
The decisions were taken during the party’s 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.
WesternLifeNewsNG understands, the faction also dissolved the party’s executive committees in Oyo, Bauchi, Ekiti, Zamfara, Edo, and Lagos states, citing widespread violations of internal procedures and court orders.
Others expelled from the party include former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara; former Minister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN); Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; and several other senior stakeholders accused of anti-party activities.
Presenting the memo that led to their expulsion, Acting National Chairman Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman said the affected members persistently disregarded subsisting court judgments, behaviour he described as injurious to the party’s image and stability.
The NEC communiqué, read by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, stated that the committee met to address “recent developments threatening the unity, stability, and constitutional order of the party,” noting that Nigerians were looking to the PDP for leadership at a critical period.
“NEC expressed concern that some members had violated court orders by convening and attending what it described as an illegal convention, a development the party says triggered fresh waves of confusion and factionalisation, including the defection of governors and legislators.
“Reaffirming the party’s commitment to constitutional discipline, NEC approved the commencement of disciplinary action against 17 notable members, including Wabara, Olabode George, Ben Obi, Turaki, Makinde, Bala Mohammed, and Dauda Lawal, among others.
“The committee further directed expelled South East leader Chief Ali Odefa to refund all salaries and allowances collected since his earlier expulsion in December 2024.
“It also ratified the nomination of Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck as Acting National Vice Chairman (South East).
In another major decision, the NEC dissolved the PDP state executive committees in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti, and ordered the formation of caretaker committees to conduct fresh congresses. The Edo State executive led by Barr. Nosa Ogieva was, however, endorsed.
“NEC also mandated all deputies of National Working Committee (NWC) members affected by the expulsions to assume their positions in acting capacity.
In a move aimed at reclaiming the party’s political strength, the NEC directed its legal team to initiate steps to recover the seats of all elected officials who defected from the PDP, citing Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.
“The committee further approved a nationwide reconciliation initiative and membership audit, ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections, stressing that unity must not come at the expense of discipline.
“While acknowledging anxiety among members, NEC insisted the actions were necessary to reposition the party. The era of indiscipline is over. The PDP will not bow to lawlessness or personal ambition. With unity, discipline, and renewed purpose, the party will rebuild stronger ahead of the next electoral cycle,” the communiqué stated.
