The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened yesterday as the Damagum-led faction proceeded with its controversial national convention in Ibadan, expelling several top party figures, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).
The faction also dissolved party executives in Rivers, Abia, Imo, Plateau, and Enugu states, which are largely controlled by Wike’s allies.
But two PDP governors, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, promptly disowned the expulsions, insisting they were neither consulted nor supportive of the move.
Former Special Duties Minister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki was elected unopposed as National Chairman after Senator Yakubu Lado stepped down.
His emergence came amid a boycott by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which stayed away following two Federal High Court rulings directing it not to monitor the event.
The absence of INEC officials and several prominent party figures, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, Governors Ademola Adeleke and Siminalayi Fubara, and legislative minority leaders, highlighted the deepening fissures within the party.
Governor Fintiri, writing on his X handle, said expelling Wike and others would only worsen the PDP’s internal crisis and harm ongoing reconciliation efforts.
Mutfwang shared similar concerns, stating that the matter was never discussed at the Governors Forum or the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Both governors called for unity, dialogue, and a more strategic approach to resolving internal disputes.
Expelled National Organising Secretary Umar Bature condemned the exercise as illegal.
Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the convention as a mere “party” in Ibadan, while Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor described the expulsion as null and void, accusing organizers of acting out of personal ambition, particularly pointing at Governor Seyi Makinde.
Osadolor warned that legitimate party organs could become non-existent after December 10 when the current NWC’s tenure expires, plunging the PDP into a constitutional vacuum unless genuine reconciliation takes place.
A contrary view came from former lawmaker Hon. Teejay Yusuf, who argued that the visible presence of PDP banners in Ibadan at least proved the party was still active.
The Kebbi PDP chapter refused to attend the convention, opposing Turaki’s candidacy on the grounds that he was suspended in April 2023 for alleged anti-party activities and failure to pay dues.
In a petition to the screening committee, the chapter said any delegate claiming to represent Kebbi at the convention lacked its backing.
In another twist, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Damagum faction disowned the report of its Reconciliation Committee, describing it as unofficial and unadopted.
The BoT insisted the convention must proceed as scheduled, citing a Supreme Court ruling that internal party affairs are beyond the courts’ jurisdiction.
It also rejected suggestions for a caretaker committee, affirming its commitment to electing new officers through the convention.
The convention held amid conflicting court orders.
– Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, halted the exercise over Lamido’s claim that he was barred from contesting the chairmanship.
– An Oyo State High Court extended an earlier order permitting the convention to continue.
– Another Federal High Court judge, Justice James Omotosho, ruled that INEC should not monitor or recognise the outcome due to alleged violations of party guidelines.
At one point, Chairman of the Convention Organising Committee, Governor Fintiri, announced he could not proceed without INEC. But following a motion by Senator Ben Obi and a voice vote by delegates, the committee was mandated to continue.
Governor Seyi Makinde declared the Ibadan convention a turning point for the party and urged delegates to enjoy Oyo State’s hospitality. Governors present included Makinde (Oyo), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Fintiri (Adamawa), and Mutfwang (Plateau).
Other attendees included former Governors Jonah Jang, Ibrahim Shekarau, and Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Chief Tom Ikimi; Senators Ahmed Ningi and Natasha Akpoti; Chief Adolphus Wabara; and Ladi Adebutu.
Yesterday’s events mark the party’s biggest internal rupture since 2014, when the N-PDP bloc—led by Kawu Baraje and including Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, and Rotimi Amaechi—left the PDP to join forces with the ANPP, CPC, and ACN to form the APC. The coalition went on to win the 2015 presidential election.
