The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday as the party’s national leadership formally issued expulsion certificates to eleven prominent members, including Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
The certificates were handed out at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, marking the party’s latest move to enforce discipline under its newly elected National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
The Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) reiterated that firm sanctions are necessary to reposition the opposition party ahead of future elections.
Those removed from the party had earlier been suspended on November 15. Among them are:
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT and former Rivers State governor
Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State
Samuel Anyanwu, immediate past National Secretary
Umar Bature, former National Organising Secretary
Kamaldeen Ajibade, former National Legal Adviser
Mao Ohuabunwa, former federal lawmaker
Austine Nwachukwu, former Imo PDP chairman
Amah Nnanna Abraham, former Abia PDP chairman
Dan Orbih, former National Vice-Chairman (South-South)
Turnah George
The party accused the expelled officials of engaging in activities considered injurious to its cohesion and electoral prospects.
Speaking during a briefing with journalists, NWC members stated that the disciplinary actions were carried out after prolonged internal review.
Chairman Turaki said the PDP must enforce consequences for conduct that undermines collective interest if it hopes to regain public trust.
He stressed that the leadership is “fully committed to restoring order and credibility,” adding that the party will not allow influential individuals to place personal ambitions above organisational stability.
The expulsion comes barely two weeks after Turaki emerged as national chairman in a convention where he pledged to rebuild unity and reinstall internal order.
Analysts believe the sanctions reflect a broader effort to curtail the long-running factional battles that weakened the party in recent years.
The affected members have not yet issued collective responses, though some previously dismissed the disciplinary measures as politically motivated.
