A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday reaffirmed the expulsion of 18 prominent politicians for alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct.
The National Secretary of the faction, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, issued a disclaimer warning the public against “impostors” who continue to claim membership and authority in the party. The affected members were expelled by the National Executive Committee on November 18, in line with the amended 2017 PDP Constitution.
Among those expelled are Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. Others include former Governor Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, former Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, former Minister of Special Duties Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, former Presidential Adviser Ben Obi, Chief Bode George, and former Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum. Additional names listed are Okechukwu Obiechina, Emmanuel Ogidi, Emmanuel Ebien, Suleiman Kadade Mohammed, Sunmaila Adamu Bunza, Koshoedo Setonji, Daniel Woyengikuro, and Umar Sani.
The faction described recent activities by the expelled members, including a gathering in Ibadan, as a “charade” and not a national convention. Anyanwu stressed that anyone claiming to hold party office is an “impostor and meddlesome interloper.”
The disclaimer follows a counter-statement by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction, which claimed that Wike, Anyanwu, former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose, and others were no longer party members. The ongoing exchange highlights the deepening internal crisis and factional struggle within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
