Internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsened on Tuesday as a faction of the National Executive Committee (NEC) led by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed announced the expulsion of several top party figures, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal.
Also affected by the expulsion pronouncement were the party’s newly announced National Chairman, Senator Tanimu Turaki, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, as well as the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja.
The group similarly listed South-South Caretaker Committee Chairman Emmanuel Ogidi and several others, accusing them of anti-party conduct according to NAN reports..
Tensions boiled over earlier in the day at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, where rival groups—one backed by Governors Makinde and Mohammed, and the other aligned with the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike—clashed after attempting to hold parallel meetings.
Announcing the resolutions of the controversial “103-member NEC meeting,” the party’s embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, said the faction had ratified the expulsion of the affected leaders.
He claimed they were removed for allegedly disregarding court orders, a move he argued amounted to bringing the party into disrepute.
According to him, the NEC reviewed the fallout from what it described as an “unauthorised convention” and blamed the action for triggering fresh divisions and prompting defections across the country.
“NEC received the report of the acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, detailing breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1), including anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders, and conduct bringing the Party into disrepute,” he said.
He added that NEC had approved the commencement of disciplinary proceedings against several senior members.
“NEC approved the commencement of disciplinary procedures against the following; Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Bala Mohammed, Oluseyi Makinde, Dauda Lawal, Taofiq Arapaja, and Setonji Koshoedo.
“Others include Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Woyengikuro Daniel, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, Sumaila Adamu Burga, Umar Sani, Udom Emmanuel and Emmanuel Enorden,” he said.
Anyanwu further disclosed that the NEC demanded the refund of salaries and allowances by Chief Ali Odefa, insisting he had continued to receive them despite being expelled in December 2024.
“These actions are taken to preserve order and discipline within the Party,” he said.
The faction also announced the dissolution of several state executive committees, including those in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, Edo, and Ekiti. It directed the constitution of caretaker committees and the commencement of fresh congresses.
The Edo exco led by Nosa Ogieva was, however, affirmed as legitimate.
“NEC directed Deputies in all National Working Committee positions now vacant owing to expulsion to assume the substantive positions in acting capacity and function as NWC members,” Anyanwu stated.
He said the faction had also confirmed Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and ordered the party’s legal team to begin constitutional actions to recover the seats of elected officials who defected from the PDP.
“NEC also approved a party-wide reconciliation initiative to heal divisions and rebuild trust, while ensuring that reconciliation did not undermine discipline,” he added, noting that a nationwide membership audit would begin ahead of the 2027 elections.
“NEC acknowledged the anxieties among members but assures the Party faithful that these decisions are aimed at stabilising and strengthening the PDP.
“The NEC affirms that the era of indiscipline is over. The PDP will not bow to lawlessness or personal ambition.
“With unity, discipline, and renewed purpose, the PDP will rebuild stronger and restore public confidence ahead of the next electoral cycle,” he said.
Earlier in the day, BoT Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Abdulrahman Mohammed urged party members to remain committed, expressing optimism that the PDP would overcome its internal turmoil.
