Wike-backed PDP faction affirms expulsion of Makinde, Bala Mohammed, others

L-R: Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom; Acting PDP Chairman, Abdulrahman Muhammad; FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; PDP National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu; and former Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Mao Ohuabunwa... during the inauguration of the PDP BoT at the Minister's residence in Abuja, on Friday. Credit: FCT Media Office

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A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a formal disclaimer reaffirming the expulsion of 18 prominent politicians.

In a disclaimer issued on Wednesday by its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the PDP faction warned the public to beware of “impostors” still parading themselves as party members.

It stated that the affected individuals were expelled by the National Executive Committee on November 18 for alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct, in accordance with the amended 2017 PDP Constitution.

Among those named in the expulsion list are Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

Also expelled are former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom; former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara; and former Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja.

Others on the list include former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki; former Presidential Adviser, Ben Obi; former Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Bode George; and the former Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum.

The list also includes the names of Okechukwu Obiechina, Emmanuel Ogidi, Emmanuel Ebien, Suleiman Kadade Mohammed, Sunmaila Adamu Bunza, Koshoedo Setonji, Daniel Woyengikuro, and Umar Sani.

The faction expressed concern over what it described as “embarrassing misrepresentation” by the expelled members who continue to speak and act in the name of the party.

It urged party faithful and the general public to disregard any statements or activities by the affected individuals, stressing that they no longer hold membership or authority within the PDP.

The disclaimer also dismissed a recent gathering in Ibadan involving some of the expelled members, describing it as a mere social event, “a charade,” and not a national convention of the PDP.

“Anybody parading himself as a newly elected national officer of the party is an impostor and a meddlesome interloper,” Anyanwu warned.

The party reiterated that it remains united under its legitimate leadership and called on supporters to continue to align with the constitutionally recognised structures.

PUNCH Online reports that the disclaimer comes a day after the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction issued its own counter-statement, claiming that Wike, Anyanwu, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and others had ceased to be members of the PDP.

The escalating war of expulsions underscores the deepening internal crisis within the opposition party, with both the Turaki and Wike factions expelling and disowning each other over alleged anti-party activities.

Olugbenga is a fine-grained journalist with over nine years of experience. He loves the smell of a good lead and has a penchant for finding out interesting good reports.

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