By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The factional National Executive Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, November 18, said it had ratified the expulsion of the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde; Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed; and Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal.
The NEC also expelled former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara; former National Vice Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George and the recently-elected party’s National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
This was disclosed in a communiqué from the factional NEC meeting held at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, read by factional National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The factional NEC also dissolved the state executive councils in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti states, directing the constitution of caretaker committees and the conduct of fresh congresses.
Presenting the memo recommending the expulsions, the acting National Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, said the affected members were sanctioned for allegedly disregarding court judgments, a conduct he described as bringing the party into disrepute.
The communiqué read in part: “NEC expressed deep concern over the actions of some members who violated subsisting court orders by organising and attending a purported and unauthorised convention. This act triggered confusion, factionalisation, and the defection of governors and legislators nationwide.
“NEC reaffirmed that the PDP draws its legitimacy from strict adherence to its Constitution and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not from impunity.
“NEC received the report of the Acting National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, detailing breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1), including anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders, and conduct bringing the Party into disrepute.
“NEC approved the commencement of disciplinary procedures against the following: Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben N. Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Bala Mohammed, Oluseyi Makinde, Dauda Lawal, Taofiq Arapaja, Setonji Koshoedo, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Woyengikuro Daniel, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, Sumaila Adamu Burga, Umar Sani, Udom Emmanuel, and Emmanuel Enorden.
“NEC further resolved that Chief Ali Odefa must refund all salaries and allowances collected after his expulsion on 12 December 2024. These actions are taken to preserve order and discipline within the Party. NEC also ratified Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck as Acting National Vice Chairman (South East).
“NEC ratified the dissolution of state excos in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti. The NWC is directed to constitute caretaker committees and begin fresh congresses immediately, while the Edo State Exco, led by Nosa Ogieva has been approved.
“NEC directed deputies in all National Working Committee positions now vacant owing to expulsion to assume the substantive positions in acting capacity and function as NWC members.
“NEC also formally ratified the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman as the Acting National Chairman of the party.
“NEC directed the legal team and NWC to commence immediate constitutional action to recover seats of all elected officials who defected from the PDP, in line with Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution,”
The expulsion came after the PDP held its elective national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, where Wike, Anyanwu, Ayodele Fayose, and other loyalists were expelled from the party over alleged anti-party activities.
The situation triggered a confrontation between both factions at the party’s national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Tuesday, where the Turaki and Wike/Anyanwu factions had scheduled parallel inaugural NWC and NEC and Board of Trustees meetings, respectively.
The Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) postponed its inaugural meeting slated for Tuesday, over a violent clash with the rival Wike-led faction of the party at the national secretariat.
PDP National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, who announced the postponement, said the decision was as a result of the “actions of those undermining democracy and progress.”
