…Mutfwang, Fintiri Fault Expulsion Of Wike, Fayose, Others

Following his election as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the party’s National Convention in Ibadan on Saturday, Kabiru Turaki has promised to live up to the expectations of party faithful and Nigerians at large.

Turaki emerged as the new chairman at the convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, where delegates from 17 states across the country cast their votes to choose national officers.

The former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs scored 1,516 votes at the exercise held at the Lekan Salami Stadium.

Senator Ben Obi, who supervised the election, announced that Senator Yakubu Danmarke came second with 275 votes.

In his acceptance speech, Turaki acknowledged that the task ahead is enormous but expressed confidence that the party’s new leadership is capable of delivering.

“The cross you have given us means that you watch us also take it to the Nigerian people, and that we shall do. We are not under any illusion that the task placed on us is a simple one. Our party is at a crossroads now, but we are up to the task; we are up to the challenge,” Turaki said.

He added, “Very soon, we shall be rolling out what our guiding principles will be and the modus operandi for achieving them. When we do that, we shall be hitting the ground running from day one.”

Turaki assured members and supporters of the party that the confidence they have reposed in him would not be taken for granted, promising to faithfully discharge the mandate given to him.

He said: “Today, as I talk to you, the only political party that has retained its name is the Peoples Democratic Party. This has been possible because this is the party of the Nigerian people. Make no mistake about it; we are returning the party to you, the people. There will be no more impunity.”

The convention, which drew over 3,000 delegates from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, commenced on November 15 and ran into the early hours of November 16.

Meanwhile, governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has formally distanced himself from the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He also dissociated himself from the expulsion of a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, the national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and other leaders of the PDP.

The party unanimously voted to expel them for anti-party activities and fostering disunity with series of litigation against the interests of the party.

In a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the governor explained that the issue was neither discussed by the PDP Governors’ Forum nor the National Executive Committee (NEC) before the motion was presented.

He stated that the proposal did not reflect his position on the matter.

Governor Mutfwang further noted that expelling the party leaders at this crucial time was not a strategic step toward resolving the internal challenges currently confronting the PDP.

He said there was a need for unity, dialogue, and collective effort in rebuilding and repositioning the party.

Mutfwang is the second governor to distance himself from the expulsion of the PDP leaders at the national convention in Oyo.

The Plateau governor’s comment came shortly after his Adamawa State counterpart, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, distanced himself from the expulsion of the former Rivers State governor, Fayose, and nine others.

In the same vein, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has dissociated himself from the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to expel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from the party.

This was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Saturday.

Fintiri, who is also the Chairman of the PDP 2025 Elective National Convention, noted that the decision was not in the best interest of the party.

He said he would not be party to any attempt that could further plunge the PDP into unending crisis.

“As a faithful party member, my position is clear: I stand for the peace and stability of the PDP, and I will not support anything that could lead to its disintegration.

“I believe that peace and reconciliation are the only ways forward for our great party,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Fintiri urged all stakeholders to work towards healing the divisions within the party and to strive for unity and cohesion.

He stated that as a party man, he remained committed to supporting efforts that promote peace, stability, and progress within the PDP.

The governor reiterated that his position was guided by the desire for peace and reconciliation and will continue to work towards achieving this goal.

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…Premature Decision -Wike’s aide reacts

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, from the party, for anti-party activities.

The party also expelled the National Secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu, and eight others.

The decision was taken at the national convention of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The PDP national convention is taking place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The party unanimously voted to expel them for anti-party activities and fostering disunity with a series of litigation against the interests of the party.

The national convention, which is currently being held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, has delegates from 17 states across the country in attendance.

A chieftain of the PDP, Bode George, moved the motion for the expulsion of 11 key members, citing what he described as activities inconsistent with the party’s collective interest as reasons for the move.

The chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State quickly seconded the motion.

The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Muhammed, put the vote forward for members to adopt and ratify the expulsion of those involved, and it was unanimously accepted.

Also present at the convention are Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

Others are the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro; a former governor of Osun, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, his Gombe counterpart, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo; and the Board of Trustees chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; and a chieftain of the party, among others.

There had been calls for sanctions against Wike and others who worked against the party during the 2023 general elections.

But the former Rivers State governor, in October 2024, said he had no regret working against the PDP in the 2023 presidential election.

He also maintained that he was not involved in anti-party activities.

“For the presidential election, I said I am going to support equity, fairness, and justice. In the other one, I am going to support my party, and that is why we won the governor and National Assembly elections.

“For the presidential, I have no apologies because I don’t believe in injustice. Today, people say ‘discipline Wike, he did anti-party.’ I did not do anti-party,” Wike said on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

The former governor was appointed as the FCT minister by President Bola Tinubu, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 presidential election.

He had also accused some leaders of the PDP of going against the constitution of the party.

In January 2023, Wike promised to “hit back” at the leadership of the PDP over what he described as anti-party activities.

Speaking at the PDP Etche Local Government Area campaign rally in Rivers State, he had said, “Those of them in Abuja that are talking about anti-party [activities], we have caught them now.

“They are the ones doing their anti-party [activities]. I have caught them now, and I told them anti-party begets anti-party.”

Meanwhile, a fresh wave of verbal fireworks erupted on Saturday within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, derided party leaders who announced the expulsion of his boss and that of other pro-Wike figures.

Reacting in a characteristically acerbic tone, Olayinka dismissed the action of the PDP group that met in Ibadan, describing their gathering as nothing more than a premature December revelry masquerading as a political meeting.

“When people decide to start their own dirty December in November, one can’t help but ignore whatever comes out of their mouths,” Olayinka told The Guardian in a brief interview.

He accused the leaders of turning what should have been a serious political engagement into a social event, insisting that the expulsion had no weight beyond the amusement they provided.

“They gathered in Ibadan to do social party, enjoyed themselves and got intoxicated. They are free to say anything,” he added, suggesting that the purported expulsions were merely products of overexcitement rather than legitimate party procedure.

His remarks come amid escalating internal hostilities within the PDP, as factions loyal to Wike and those aligned with the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, continue to trade accusations following controversies surrounding the party’s convention, disciplinary actions, and the Board of Trustees’ recommendations.

As the crisis deepens, observers note that the party’s internal rifts, now amplified by open mockery and counter-sanctions underscore the broader struggle for control ahead of future electoral cycles.

Olayinka maintained that his boss remains unfazed by the pronouncements, insisting that no credible authority within the party could legitimately sanction Wike or his allies.

Others expected alongside Wike are Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, and several others.

In a terse statement, the PDP said the landmark move aims to restore unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The decision, which was promptly ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates, underscores the party’s commitment to eradicating internal divisions and anti-party conduct that have plagued its progress,” the party said.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the legitimacy of the PDP National Convention in Ibadan due to the absence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the event.

The electoral body’s absence followed court rulings issued to stop the convention from holding.

In the same vein, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at its national convention in Ibadan, has dissolved the entire party structures in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states.

The decision was confirmed as host governor Seyi Makinde moved a motion to ratify and approve elected executive committees of the PDP at various levels in states and zones where congresses have already been concluded.

The motion was presented at the elective national congress, the party’s highest decision-making organ.

Governor Makinde explained that congresses were held across the country between 2024 and 2025 to elect party executives at the ward, local government, state, and geopolitical zone levels, including national ex-officio members.

He noted that the congresses were conducted freely, fairly, and substantially in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, the PDP constitution, and party guidelines in all geopolitical zones and most states.

He added that the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC) had approved the congresses and the officers elected during the process.

However, Makinde said that all structures in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers have now been dissolved.

He stated, “In the case of Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers, the Convention hereby dissolves all party structures at the ward, local government, and state levels.

“The Convention has authorized the publication of this decision to serve as official notice to the public.”

The motion was seconded by Daniel Obiechina Okechukwu, National Auditor and member of the PDP National Working Committee, at the convention.

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to stop its planned National Convention slated for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a statement he personally signed after meeting with members of the Board of Trustees, BoT, Reconciliation Team led by Hassan Adamu, Saraki cautioned that proceeding with the convention amid ongoing legal disputes could push the party deeper into crisis.

He called on the party to set up a Caretaker Committee to manage its affairs temporarily and restore calm.


According to him, it was regrettable that, despite the selfless efforts of many party members, the planned convention had become mired in controversy, both politically and legally.

The former Kwara state governor also warned that the situation posed a serious threat not just to the PDP but also to Nigeria’s democracy.

“It is clear that going ahead with the National Convention in Ibadan on November 15–16, 2025, will only serve to further fuel the present crisis.

“Therefore, going ahead with the Convention as scheduled is a waste of efforts. It does not have my support,” Saraki declared.

He explained that conflicting court orders regarding the convention had created uncertainty about its legitimacy, saying no one could guarantee that the exercise or its outcome would stand.