The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) plunged further into turmoil as the faction aligned with Nyesom Wike consolidated power with a dramatic purge and secretariat takeover. At a tense National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Wike’s bloc expelled several high-profile figures — including Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) — citing “anti-party activities” and disobedience to court rulings. They also dissolved state executive committees in six states (Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, Ekiti), ordering the formation of caretaker committees and fresh congresses.
The showdown turned chaotic: supporters from both factions clashed at the national secretariat, tear gas was reportedly deployed, and rival meetings took place almost simultaneously. Tanimu Turaki, who was recently elected as National Chairman in a rival convention, accused Wike’s camp of orchestrating a “coup” to undermine party democracy. Wike’s NEC, meanwhile, insists their actions were legally grounded — grounded in the party constitution — and necessary for preserving discipline and the PDP’s integrity.
In their communique, read by NEC National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the Wike faction justified the expulsions as responses to repeated defiance of court judgments, breaches of party rules, and conduct “bringing the Party into disrepute.” As both sides trade accusations, the crisis raises major questions about PDP’s unity ahead of future elections and its ability to present a coherent opposition platform.
