In a dramatic escalation of internal divisions, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled several high-profile members, including Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, during its ongoing National Convention in Ibadan.
The decision, announced on Saturday, November 15, 2025 targets individuals accused of engaging in anti-party activities that have plagued the opposition party since the 2023 general elections.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP, led by Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, approved the expulsions following recommendations from the party's disciplinary committee. Among those shown the door are Nyesom Wike, a former Rivers State governor and key ally of President Bola Tinubu; Fayose, a vocal critic within PDP ranks; Senate Minority Whip Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and eight others, including Kamaldeen Ajibade, Austin Okechukwu, and several state chapter leaders.
Bode George, a PDP Board of Trustees member, delivered the announcement to delegates, framing the move as essential for reclaiming party unity and preparing for future electoral battles. "This is a necessary purge to rid our house of those who have betrayed the trust of millions," George stated, according to convention proceedings.
The expulsions stem from longstanding grievances over alleged sabotage during the 2023 polls, where Wike's open support for Tinubu's All Progressives Congress (APC) victory drew sharp rebukes from PDP loyalists. Fayose, meanwhile, has been at odds with party leadership over zoning disputes and his flirtations with APC overtures. Anyanwu's inclusion highlights tensions in the National Assembly caucus, where loyalty to the party's opposition role has been questioned.
Nyesom Wike, speaking from Abuja shortly after the news broke, dismissed the action as illegitimate and laughable. "They're intoxicated in that Ibadan party gathering a sideshow by desperate elements," he retorted in a statement to reporters, vowing to continue his political engagements undeterred. Sources close to the minister suggest he views the PDP as increasingly irrelevant, especially given his influential role in the current administration.
This purge occurs against the backdrop of the PDP's 2025 National Convention, meant to ratify leadership and strategize for off-cycle elections. However, the event has been marred by factional infighting, with some delegates walking out in protest. Analysts warn that the expulsions could further fragment the party, potentially benefiting rivals like the APC ahead of 2027 polls.
PDP spokesperson Deji Oladokun defended the decision, calling it a "bold step toward renewal." "We cannot afford saboteurs in our midst. This restores discipline and focus," he said.
As the convention continues into the evening, all eyes are on how other PDP stalwarts, including Atiku Abubakar and other 2023 presidential hopefuls, will respond. For now, the expulsions mark a pivotal, if contentious, chapter in Nigeria's opposition politics.