Wike-Aligned PDP Bloc Restates Removal of Top Members

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday restated the removal of 18 well-known politicians from the party. The announcement was made in Abuja through a public disclaimer issued by the faction’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who warned that some of the affected members were still acting as if they remained part of the party.

The disclaimer stated that the individuals were removed by the National Executive Committee on November 18 for acts viewed as anti-party behaviour and misconduct, based on the party’s amended 2017 constitution. The faction named those removed, including Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

Others affected include former Akwa Ibom State Governor Emmanuel Udom, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, and former Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja. More names on the list are former Minister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, former presidential adviser Ben Obi, Chief Bode George, former Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, and several other former party officials and members.

The faction said it was disturbed that those removed were still making public statements and attending events in the name of the party. It urged the public and party supporters to ignore them, explaining that they no longer have any role or standing within the PDP.

It also reacted to a recent gathering held in Ibadan by some of the expelled members, describing it as a normal social meeting and not a party convention. The faction added that anyone claiming to be a newly elected national officer from that meeting should not be taken seriously.

The public notice was released a day after another group within the PDP, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, issued its own counter-statement. That group claimed that Wike, Anyanwu, Ayodele Fayose and others were no longer members of the party. Both groups have been removing and disowning one another, showing the deep division currently affecting the PDP.

The faction supporting Wike said it remains united under its known leadership and called on its supporters across the country to follow only those recognised by the party’s constitution.