PDP expels Wike, Anyanwu, Fayose, others over anti-party activities

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Samuel Anyanwu, its suspended national secretary; and Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State.

Their expulsion was announced on Saturday at the party’s national convention in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Others expelled include Umar Bature, Ajibade Kamarudeen, Mao Ohabunwa, Uwachukwu, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Austin Nwachukwu, and Abraham Amah.

Olabode George, former national vice-chairman of the party (South), moved the motion for the expulsion, while Samaila Buga, chairman of the PDP in Bauchi, seconded it.

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, put the motion to a voice vote.

Background

The Wike-led PDP faction had sought to halt the convention through the courts, but the party secured a High Court judgment in Oyo allowing the event to proceed.

Ohabunwa, chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Wike faction, said anyone going to Ibadan for the purpose of the convention would merely be going there to relax, as the exercise would not be recognised by law.

He mocked the other faction, describing the event as a “jamboree” and advised attendees to “have fun” in Ibadan.

According to him, Anyanwu had issued a circular notifying members about the postponement of the convention.

“We have met as the National Working Committee of the PDP and reviewed our activities. We have agreed to obey all court decisions on the Ibadan convention. So, we are not part of the exercise,” he said.

“Ibadan is a public place; people can go for anything but not for a convention. Anyone going there in the name of a convention should consider it a jamboree.”

“We will not tolerate the flagrant abuse of the constitution by some individuals in the name of a convention,” he added.

Mohammed Abdulrahman, acting national chairman of the faction, also urged delegates to stay away from the convention and wait for the right time.

“We are concerned with moving the PDP forward; therefore, all delegates across the country should stay away from the Ibadan convention,” Abdulrahman said.

He added that he would continue mobilising members across the 36 states and the FCT to strengthen a united PDP.

Wike, meanwhile, commended party members for defending the PDP in their various areas and pledged his support.

“I am happy with your concern about the party in your respective areas. I will continue to support you; I won’t betray you,” he said.

He insisted that his camp would continue to uphold the rule of law and would not succumb to intimidation.