PDP crisis deepens as Turaki, Wike factions trade expulsion lists, claim each other ‘illegal’

By Johnson Arua

The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Friday as two rival factions, one led by Kabiru Turaki and the other aligned with Nyesom Wike, issued separate disclaimer notices, each declaring the other group as no longer members of the party.

The Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) published a notice listing 11 politicians it said were expelled at the party’s elective convention held in Ibadan from November 15 to 16. Those named include Nyesom Wike, Samuel Anyanwu, Ayodele Fayose, Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Turnah, Dan Orbih, Austine Nwachukwu, Mon’d Abdulrahman and Abraham Amah.

Signing as national chairman, Turaki warned the public to avoid dealing with the expelled figures, stressing that any interaction with them is “at their own peril.” The notice followed the issuance of expulsion certificates to the affected individuals in Abuja after Umar Damagum handed over to Turaki.

According to Turaki, the expulsions were intended to restore order within the PDP, which he said had been undermined by those “holding parallel congresses, sponsoring court actions and openly supporting rival parties during elections.”

“These actions were necessary to cleanse our ranks of elements who have consistently worked against the PDP’s interests,” he said, adding that the expelled members are now free to join any political platform but must stop identifying as PDP members.

“The PDP will never die,” he declared. “This party is bigger than any individual or group.”

But in a swift counter-move, the Wike-backed faction issued its own disclaimer, listing 18 individuals it claimed had already been expelled by the National Executive Committee (NEC) on November 18 for alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct.

The notice, signed by Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary, named Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal, Seyi Makinde, Emmanuel Udom, Adolphus Wabara, Taofeek Arapaja, Kabiru Turaki, Ben Obi, Bode George, Okechukwu Obiechina, Emmanuel Ogidi, Emmanuel Eledan, Suleiman Kadade Mohammed, Sumaila Adamu Bunza, Kosheodo Sotonji, Daniel Woyengikuro, Umar Sani and Umar Bargo.

The faction accused them of “falsely parading themselves as members or officers of the PDP,” dismissing anyone calling themselves newly-elected national officers as “impostors and meddlesome interlopers.”

They also rejected the Ibadan convention that produced Turaki’s NWC, describing it as “a charade and mere social gathering” that violated the party’s constitution.

The duelling expulsion lists underscore the deepening fractures splitting the PDP into two competing power blocs, each laying claim to legitimate control of the party.