The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a decisive step to formalise the exit of some of its most prominent former members. The party's National Working Committee has issued official certificates of expulsion to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a host of other high-profile figures.
Formalising the Expulsion
This significant action took place on Tuesday, December 2, during an NWC meeting held in Abuja. At this gathering, the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, officially handed over the party's national leadership to Senator Kabiru Turaki. The PDP confirmed the development in a statement released on its official X platform shortly after the ceremony concluded.
The party's national convention, which convened in Ibadan, Oyo State, had previously ratified the expulsion of Wike and the others on November 16. This decision was based on allegations of engaging in anti-party activities, which is considered a serious violation of the party's constitution.
Rationale Behind the Certificates
Addressing journalists after the NWC meeting, the new party leader, Senator Kabiru Turaki, explained the committee's reasoning. He stated that a review was conducted concerning the expelled members, leading to the decision to issue the certificates.
"We have taken note of the fact that Nigerian law frowns on dual membership of political parties, and so we have sought to make it easy for them," Turaki said. He elaborated that the documentation would serve as clear proof of their disengagement from the PDP.
"Now that they are no longer members of our party, and now that the National Convention, which is the highest decision-making organ of our party, has expelled them, we have decided to issue them certificates of expulsion," he added.
Turaki emphasised that the certificates would help the affected individuals when they seek to register with other political parties in the country. "So that, when they go to register with other political parties in Nigeria, they will show these certificates as proof that they are no longer members of the PDP, and so those parties will not accuse them of trying to belong to more than one political party," he clarified.
List of Affected Members and Wider Implications
According to Turaki, the expulsion certificates have already been dispatched by courier to the following individuals:
- Nyesom Wike (FCT Minister)
- Ayodele Fayose (Former Governor of Ekiti State)
- Senator Samuel Anyanwu
- Umaru Bature
- Kamarudeen Ajibade (SAN)
- Abdurahman Muhammad
- Senator Mao Ohuabunwa
- Austin Nwachukwu
- Abraham Amah Nnanna
- George Turna
- Chief Dan Orbih
Turaki stated that this step was necessary to eliminate any ambiguity regarding their status and to formally inform both the Nigerian public and key state institutions. He specifically mentioned that agencies like INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps must be aware that these individuals are no longer PDP members.
"They have been expelled. They remain expelled. We have now certified their expulsion, and these certificates have been sent to them," he declared firmly. The party also plans to issue public disclaimers to reinforce this position, warning that anyone who chooses to engage in political dealings with the expelled persons "does so at his or her own risk."
A Fresh Start for the PDP
Senator Turaki framed this action as a new beginning for the opposition party. He expressed hope that members of the PDP both within Nigeria and in the diaspora would recognise that the party has "once again gotten rid of the cankerworms that have been afflicting and creating problems for us in our activities."
He noted that the PDP is now actively repositioning itself to offer Nigerians what he termed "credible leadership" in the build-up to the crucial 2027 general elections.
However, the expulsion process remains mired in controversy. It defied existing court orders that had initially halted the Ibadan convention. These orders were pending the resolution of legal disputes arising from parallel state congresses held by different factions within the party.
A faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, led by the embattled National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and factional Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, has rejected the Ibadan convention as illegitimate. This group held its own National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on November 18. In a counter-move, they issued their own wave of expulsions, targeting figures including Governors Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed, and Dauda Lawal, former Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, and even Senator Kabiru Turaki himself. Their accusations mirrored those of the main faction, citing anti-party activity and defiance of court directives.
