PDP Expels Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu as Convention Holds in Ibadan
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; and former National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
Their expulsion followed a motion moved by a former National Vice Chairman (South) of the party, Chief Olabode George, at the party’s national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State. The motion was seconded by Hon. Samaila Burga, Chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State.
The development capped days of tension between the party’s national leadership and a faction loyal to Wike, which had sought a court order to halt the convention. The PDP leadership, however, secured a favourable ruling from an Oyo State High Court clearing the way for the gathering to proceed.
Ahead of the convention, the Wike-backed faction dismissed the event as illegitimate. Mao Ohuabunwa, chairman of the faction’s Board of Trustees, argued that the Ibadan meeting had no legal basis and should not be regarded as a convention. He described the exercise as a “jamboree” and insisted that Anyanwu had already issued a circular announcing its postponement.
“We have agreed to obey all court decisions on the Ibadan convention. We are not part of the exercise,” Ohuabunwa said. “Ibadan is a public place; people may go there for anything but not for a legitimate convention.”
The faction’s acting national chairman, Abdulrahman Muhammad, also urged party delegates to ignore the event and wait for what he called the “right time” for a recognised convention. He said the group would continue mobilising members nationwide to build a stronger PDP.
Wike, meanwhile, praised supporters within the party and maintained that his camp remained committed to upholding the constitution of the PDP. He reiterated that he would not yield to pressure or abandon his allies.
“I will continue to support you. I will not betray you,” he assured his followers.
