PDP Crisis Deepens as Wike’s Camp Rejects Ibadan Convention, Says Expulsions Are Invalid

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party escalated on Saturday after the faction aligned with the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike dismissed the expulsion of key party figures announced at the national convention held in Ibadan. The convention, attended by over 3,000 delegates, proceeded despite conflicting court rulings that ordered the party to halt the exercise. Newsmen gathered that four state chapters have also rejected the outcome, a move widely seen as resistance to Governor Seyi Makinde’s tightening hold on the party.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had stopped the convention after former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido challenged his exclusion from contesting for national chairman. Justice Peter Lifu ruled that Lamido was denied a fair chance to obtain the nomination form and ordered the PDP to pause the convention until he is allowed to purchase the form, mobilise and campaign. The judgement aligned with an earlier ruling by Justice James Omotosho which restrained the party from holding the convention and also barred INEC from monitoring it. However, a separate order from the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan permitted the event and instructed INEC to supervise the election of new officers.

At the Ibadan gathering, the PDP adopted a motion moved by former BOT Chairman Chief Bode George and announced the expulsion of Wike, Ayodele Fayose, Dan Orbih and others. The Wike-led bloc rejected the action as void. Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed said no legitimate convention took place and insisted he remains in office. Other party leaders including Umar Bature and Timothy Osadolor also dismissed the convention as illegal, arguing that it violated multiple court orders and lacked representation since only 17 states reportedly had accredited delegates.

Meanwhile the PDP Southwest caucus praised Governor Makinde for “rescuing the party” and expressed confidence in the newly elected national officers led by Kabiru Turaki. In contrast, state chapters in Rivers Akwa Ibom and Jigawa dissociated themselves from the convention and commended INEC for staying away. They insisted the event ignored binding court rulings and described it as a social gathering without legal weight.

The All Progressives Congress mocked the opposition over the turmoil with its deputy national organising secretary Chidi Duru saying the PDP’s internal breakdown reflects persistent leadership failures although he noted that a functional opposition remains vital for democracy.