The Peoples Democratic Party has undergone significant leadership changes during its national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, electing former minister Kabiru Turaki as its new national chairman while simultaneously expelling several prominent members including Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
New Leadership Emerges at Ibadan Convention
Delegates from across Nigeria gathered in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, where Kabiru Turaki (SAN) emerged as the new national chairman of the opposition party. The former minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs under President Goodluck Jonathan secured the position through voting by delegates representing 17 states.
The convention, which marked a pivotal moment for the party's future direction, saw the election of various national officers who will steer the PDP's affairs in the coming years. Turaki's legal background and previous ministerial experience position him as a significant figure in the party's efforts to reorganize and strengthen its political standing.
Major Expulsions Rock the Party
In a dramatic development during the convention, the party moved to expel several high-profile members, including Nyesom Wike, the current FCT Minister and former Rivers State governor. The motion for expulsion was initiated by Olabode George, the former national vice chairman of the PDP, and received support from Samaila Burga, the party's chairman in Bauchi State.
The expulsion list included several notable figures: Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State; Samuel Anyanwu, former national secretary of the party; Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN), the party's national legal adviser; along with AbdulRahman Mohammed, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Umar Bature, Austin Nwachukwu, Mao Chuambuwa, and Abraham Ammah.
Governors Reject Expulsion Decision
The expulsion move immediately faced resistance from within the party's ranks. Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State publicly distanced themselves from the decision, creating a visible rift within the party leadership.
Governor Mutfwang, through his director of press and public affairs Gyang Bere, stated that the expulsion motion did not reflect his position and emphasized that the matter had never been discussed at either the PDP Governors' Forum or the party's National Executive Committee meeting. He warned that such actions could prove counter-productive to the party's stabilization efforts and potentially cause further polarization.
Similarly, Governor Fintiri reinforced this position, stating he strongly believes the expulsion decision was not in the PDP's best interest. The Adamawa governor reiterated his commitment to the party while emphasizing that "peace and reconciliation are the only ways forward for our great party."
The contrasting positions within the party leadership highlight the ongoing internal struggles as the PDP attempts to reposition itself as a formidable opposition force in Nigerian politics. The developments from the Ibadan convention signal both a new beginning under fresh leadership and significant internal challenges that the party must navigate in the coming months.
