The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike; former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose; and the party’s former National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.
The decision followed a motion moved by a former National Vice Chairman (South) of the party, Chief Olabode George, at the PDP national convention holding in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The motion was seconded by the Bauchi State PDP Chairman, Mr Samaila Burga.
The Wike-led faction of the PDP had earlier approached the court to stop the convention, but the party obtained a judgment from an Oyo State High Court allowing the exercise to go ahead.
Ahead of the convention, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Wike faction, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, had declared that the meeting in Ibadan would not be recognised by law.
He described the planned convention as a “jamboree,” saying members were free to visit Ibadan for leisure but not for party business.
Ohuabunwa said the faction’s leadership had reviewed the situation and resolved to comply with all court orders relating to the convention.
“We are not part of the exercise. Ibadan is a public place; people can go for anything, but not for a convention. Anyone going there in the name of a convention should consider it a jamboree,” he said.
He also cited a circular issued by Anyanwu announcing the postponement of the convention, insisting that the faction would not tolerate what he called a breach of the PDP constitution.
Similarly, the faction’s Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad, urged delegates across the country to boycott the gathering and await further directives.
He said the faction remained committed to building a united PDP and would continue mobilising support nationwide.
“We are concerned with moving PDP forward; therefore, all delegates across the country should stay away from the Ibadan convention,” Muhammad said.
On his part, Wike commended members who he said had remained steadfast in defending the party in their respective constituencies.
He reiterated his commitment to upholding the rule of law and assured his supporters that he would not succumb to intimidation.
“I will continue to support you people. I won’t betray those who believe in the constitution of the party,” Wike said.
