Wike-Led PDP Faction Expels Makinde, Bode George, Bala Mohammed, Others as Crisis Deepens

Wike Faction Sparks Political Firestorm as PDP Expels Top Governors and Party Heavyweights

The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic new dimension, with the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announcing the expulsion of several influential political figures, including three serving governors and multiple former national leaders. The political tension within the once-dominant opposition party has escalated into a full-blown battle for control, leaving the PDP more divided than ever.
The latest development comes barely days after a controversial national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, which saw Wike and some of his loyalists expelled by the rival faction of the party. What began as disagreements over leadership direction has now snowballed into a war of suspensions, counter-suspensions, and parallel meetings held in the same city, Abuja.

On Monday night, a significant meeting of “Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders” took place at the residence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Present at the strategic gathering were

• Former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State
• Former Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State
• Former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State
• National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Sam Anyanwu

The meeting was a strong signal that the crisis had reached boiling point and that the Wike-led faction was positioning itself for a decisive move.

Factional NEC sanctions three sitting governors
On Tuesday, the crisis intensified further when the factional National Executive Committee (NEC) aligned with Wike ratified the expulsion of Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara). The move shocked many political observers, as it is rare for a political party, especially one seeking electoral revival, to eject serving governors, who are traditionally among the strongest pillars of the party. According to party insiders, the Wike-led faction accused the governors of “gross misconduct, anti-party activities, and violation of the PDP constitution,” though the governors’ camp has strongly denied the allegations.

The expulsions did not end with sitting governors. The factional NEC also removed several respected PDP elders and national figures, including

• Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Acting Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees
• Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman
• Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, recently elected National Chairman of the PDP

These expulsions have further widened the crack dividing the two camps, raising fears of a possible collapse of the PDP’s national structure if mediation fails soon.
Saturday’s controversial convention in Ibadan appears to be the immediate trigger for Tuesday’s chaos. At the convention, Wike and his loyalists were expelled by a different faction led by mainstream PDP leaders, who accused him of destabilizing the party and working against it during the 2023 and 2024 election cycles. This set the stage for a dramatic retaliation by the Wike-led group, culminating in the expulsion of top PDP leaders, including those who presided over or supported the Ibadan convention.

On Tuesday, both factions arrived at the national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, to hold their respective NEC and Board of Trustees meetings. What followed was a heated confrontation between supporters of the two camps. Security operatives were reportedly stationed around the complex to prevent clashes. Eyewitnesses said the atmosphere was tense, with shouting matches and attempts by both factions to take control of the secretariat building. Eventually, both groups proceeded with their separate meetings, another confirmation that the PDP is now effectively operating under parallel authorities.

In another far-reaching decision, the factional NEC dissolved the PDP state executive councils in:

• Oyo State
• Bauchi State
• Zamfara State
• Yobe State
• Lagos State
• Ekiti State

The NEC ordered the immediate constitution of caretaker committees and the scheduling of fresh congresses in the affected states. Observers believe the states were strategically chosen because key leaders opposed to the Wike faction hold influence in these chapters. The dissolution is seen as a deliberate effort to weaken those power blocs and restructure leadership at the grassroots level.

A communiqué issued after the meeting was read by National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu. According to him, the NEC had considered a detailed report from the Acting National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The report, he said, outlined several alleged constitutional breaches, including:

• Violations of Article 58(1) of the PDP Constitution
• Violations of Article 59(1)
• Persistent anti-party activities
• Disobedience to court orders
• Conduct bringing the party into disrepute

Based on these allegations, the NEC approved the initiation of fresh disciplinary procedures against a long list of senior party figures. The list includes:

• Adolphus Wabara
• Olabode George
• Ben N. Obi
• Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN
• Bala Mohammed
• Seyi Makinde
• Dauda Lawal
• Taofiq Arapaja
• Setonji Koshoedo
• Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel
• Woyengikuro Daniel
• Mohammed Kadade Suleiman
• Emmanuel Ogidi
• Sumaila Adamu Burga
• Umar Sani
• Udom Emmanuel
• Emmanuel Enorden

This extensive list indicates that the internal conflict has gone far beyond mere political disagreements. It has now become a broad purge targeting almost every major figure not aligned with the Wike-led bloc.

Political implications: What this means for the PDP
The escalating internal war poses serious risks for the future of the PDP:
1. Possible split or formation of a new party
With both camps expelling each other’s top leaders, political analysts warn that a formal split may be inevitable. Several expelled leaders have significant political structures that could be used to form a new party.

2. Weakening ahead of future elections
With President Donald Trump currently in office and Nigerian political dynamics shifting at the federal level, a deeply divided opposition party may struggle to compete effectively in upcoming electoral cycles.

3. Grassroots instability
Dissolving state executives in six states will likely create confusion at the local level. Party members may become unsure about which faction’s directives to follow.

4. Legal battles looming
Many of the expelled leaders are expected to challenge their removal in court, further complicating the situation.

The deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party shows no signs of abating. With parallel NEC meetings, mass expulsions, and the dissolution of state structures, the PDP now faces one of the most turbulent periods in its history. Unless urgent reconciliation efforts are initiated, the party risks splintering ahead of major political contests.
For now, Nigerians and political watchers will be closely monitoring developments as the two factions continue their intense battle for control of the PDP.


By PrimeLineInfo