A fresh and dramatic twist has rocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced the expulsion of several powerful figures within the party—including sitting governors—in what insiders describe as an “open declaration of war” for control of the opposition party.
In a hard-hitting statement released on Thursday, the group formally declared that the affected leaders have been stripped of all privileges, rights and recognition associated with the party. The public notice, signed by the faction’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, accused the listed officials of “parading themselves as officers of the party when they have been lawfully removed from all positions.”
The governors affected include Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, alongside multiple national stakeholders and former office holders. The faction claimed their expulsion was unanimously approved during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on November 18, 2025.
According to the communique, the drastic decision followed “well-documented anti-party activities, acts of gross misconduct, and deliberate sabotage of the party’s constitution,” adding that disciplinary procedures were in line with established rules.
The Anyanwu-signed disclaimer warned the general public, party partners, and political stakeholders against engaging with any of the expelled leaders “in any form whatsoever,” stressing that anyone offering legitimacy or support to them does so “entirely at his or her own risk.”
The Wike-backed bloc also dismissed last week’s convention held in Ibadan as nothing more than “a political gathering with no legal effect,” insisting that the meeting violated standing court orders and cannot be recognised as a national convention of the PDP.
“Anybody claiming to have emerged as a national officer from the so-called Ibadan convention is an impostor and should not be taken seriously,” the group declared.
Thursday’s bombshell statement intensifies the already volatile internal crisis within the PDP, which has been engulfed in a bitter leadership struggle since after the 2023 elections. Multiple rival camps are now issuing counter-claims, suspensions, and expulsions—signalling an unprecedented showdown for control of the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With both sides digging in, analysts warn that the PDP may be heading towards a historic split—one that could reshape Nigeria’s political map and potentially weaken the opposition’s ability to challenge the ruling party in 2027.
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