JUST IN: Damagun-Led PDP NWC Members Reaches Consensus To Expel Wike
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly considering the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from the party amid deepening internal divisions.
Top party insiders told DAILY GAZETTE that there is now a strong consensus within the NWC that the former Rivers State governor’s continued membership is no longer tenable.
They said the decision may be finalized at the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15–16, should ongoing reconciliation efforts fail.
“Wike has made it clear that it’s either his way or nothing,” a senior official said.
“Even his close allies have tried to make him see reason, but he’s refused. If the Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) fails to reconcile the factions, the NWC may have no choice but to act.”
According to the source, the BoT reconciliation committee, chaired by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, is expected to submit its report today (Tuesday). “If it fails, expulsion may be announced at the convention,” he added.
Another official told DAILY GAZETTE that many members feel the move is long overdue, given Wike’s open support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its 2027 presidential bid.
“You can’t be a PDP leader and campaign for an APC president, that’s political heresy,” the source said.
“If they get the numbers they’re targeting, expulsion may be the only way to save the party.
In a separate development, the faction loyal to Wike has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Justice A. L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, accusing him of misconduct in handling a suit relating to the planned PDP convention.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Imo State PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, accompanied by other members of the Wike faction, said the group submitted a petition dated November 5 to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, received on November 6.
The petitioners alleged that Justice Akintola acted with “judicial recklessness and impunity” by granting an ex parte order allowing the convention to proceed, despite an earlier order from a Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the PDP from holding the event.
They argued that the Oyo judge’s decision contradicted a valid judgment of coordinate jurisdiction (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, delivered October 31), which had suspended preparations for the convention.
“This kind of judicial overreach erodes public confidence in the justice system,” the petition read.
“We call on the NJC to act swiftly and uphold the integrity of the judiciary.”
Meanwhile, Justice Akintola on Monday reaffirmed his earlier ruling, granting the PDP permission to go ahead with the convention as planned.
During the resumed hearing, the judge directed all parties to adhere to the approved guidelines and timetable, and to file necessary court processes before the next sitting, which was adjourned to Wednesday.
The claimant in the case, Folahan Adelabi, had sought an injunction restraining Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (Chairman of the Convention Organising Committee), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from halting or frustrating the exercise.
Reacting to the court development, former PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri told DAILY GAZETTE that the convention would proceed as scheduled, dismissing the Wike faction’s efforts as “futile.”
“When the Abuja court asked us to stop, we obeyed. Now that another court has given the go-ahead, we’ll follow that order,” Tsauri said.
“Even if both courts have the same jurisdiction, the latest order stands. The Damagum-led NWC remains the legitimate leadership.”
Tsauri added that the convention would usher in new party executives and trigger a mass return of defected members ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Those boasting that nobody can touch them have now seen that even powerful figures can face sanctions for anti-party activities,” he said.
“By 2026, many who crossed over to the APC will find their way back. Even President Tinubu may realise that contesting against a united PDP is a waste of effort.”
He described the rival faction of the Board of Trustees as “child’s play”, insisting that the party is on course to reclaim its position as Nigeria’s dominant political force.
