Former Niger State Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu has sparked widespread reactions across Nigeria after comparing the Peoples Democratic Party's expulsion of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and other prominent members to the surgical removal of cancer.
PDP's Surgical Operation Against Anti-Party Activities
The PDP made the decisive move during its national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Saturday, November 15, 2025. The party expelled Minister Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and nine other influential members, citing persistent anti-party activities that had undermined the party's unity and effectiveness.
In a viral video that has been circulating online, Babangida Aliyu expressed strong support for the expulsion decision. The former governor described the action as a necessary surgical process within the party structure. His statement powerfully declared: "Like surgeons, we remove a cancer, the cancer that has been part of our party, that has crippled the party."
Nigerians React to the 'Cancer' Comparison
The former governor's medical metaphor has generated intense debate across social media platforms and political circles. Nigerians from various backgrounds have expressed divergent views on both the expulsion and Aliyu's characterization of it.
Ahmed Ololu offered a critical perspective, suggesting that "If removing Wike is 'curing the party,' then maybe the real disease is weak, selfish leadership. Leadership that fears reform is the real cancer."
Another commenter named Gavy extended the medical analogy, warning that "When you remove a cancer and you don't remove it all, it becomes more aggressive. So it doesn't stop at tumour removal, you need chemotherapy and radiotherapy to deal with the tumour completely."
Nana Aesha questioned the effectiveness of the expulsion approach, stating that "Expelling members may feel like surgery, but real recovery comes from addressing the systemic issues that allowed the 'cancer' to grow."
Mixed Public Sentiment on PDP's Decision
While some Nigerians supported the expulsion decision, others expressed skepticism about its timing and motivation. Uncle June commended the move but questioned the delay, asking "I don't know why it took them so long to expel him. They must have exaggerated his political sense."
Ozie pee directed criticism toward Babangida Aliyu himself, accusing the former governor of being part of PDP's historical problems. The commenter recalled that "This is one of the men who destroyed the PDP, not to mention the burial of PDP started in 2015 when northern governors led by Babangida Aliyu, then chairman of northern governors, betrayed GEJ to support their tribal man who was in APC."
Masterpies expressed surprise at Wike's transformation in the party's perception, noting that "Wike, who has been one of the most reliable PDP members from day one till today, has literally turned to cancer just getting a Ministerial post from the current Government."
The expulsion of such high-profile members marks a significant moment in the PDP's ongoing internal struggles as the party attempts to reposition itself following recent electoral setbacks and internal divisions.
