The leadership crisis tearing apart Africa’s largest opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), escalated sharply on Tuesday after the faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike announced the expulsion of several high-profile members — including Governor Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal, and other senior officials — in a counter-move following their own expulsion at the Ibadan convention.
The decision was made during a tense National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the PDP national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja. The Wike-aligned group dissolved six state executive councils — in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti — citing what they described as violation of the PDP constitution by expelled members.
The NEC, in a communique read by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, accused those it expelled — including former PDP BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, ex-Deputy National Chairman Bode George, and Turaki, the newly elected National Chairman — of anti-party activities, contempt for court rulings, and bringing the party into disrepute. Anyanwu said the actions were taken under a report submitted by their acting leadership, which claimed the expelled members had breached the PDP constitution.
In response, Turaki, flanked by Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, held a press briefing outside the secretariat where he asserted that his inaugural National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, scheduled for the day, was legally convened. After police teargas was used to disperse supporters, he announced the gathering would be postponed until November 19.
Earlier, Turaki had visited the FCT Police Command, alerting authorities to what he called “threats” from expelled members trying to gatecrash the secretariat. He declared that anyone occupying Wadata Plaza without approval from the Ibadan convention is an “interloper.”
Speaking to journalists, Turaki stressed that while his administration is ready for reconciliation, it would not tolerate “sabotage” from those he accused of opposing the democratically elected leadership.
Meanwhile, Governor Bala Mohammed, also a part of Turaki’s camp, said he and his colleagues were prepared to “lay down their lives” to defend their mandate and preserve Nigeria’s democratic future.
This bitter power struggle traces its roots to the national convention in Ibadan, where delegates voted to expel Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and others for “anti-party activities.” The resolution was moved by party elder Bode George and seconded by Governor Bala Mohammed.
The actions have sharply divided PDP leadership. Several governors — including Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau — publicly distanced themselves from the expulsions, calling for internal dialogue instead of punitive measures.
