Disagreements within Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), appear to be escalating, as both factions continue to issue public disclaimers.
The faction led by Tanimu Turaki released a disclaimer stating that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, Ayo Fayose, and others are no longer members of the PDP and should not be identified as such.
In response, the faction led by Wike issued its own disclaimer, stating that Governors Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal Dare, and others are no longer members of the PDP and should not be recognized as such.
It was earlier reported that the Turaki-led group had handed expulsion certificates to Wike, Fayose, and other members aligned with them. The announcement was made on Tuesday during a post-meeting briefing after the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) session in Abuja.
National Chairman Kabiru Turaki informed journalists that the decision reflected the party’s commitment to enforcing discipline and ending internal sabotage. He explained that the briefing came after a review meeting of the newly formed NWC to assess party activities, ongoing primaries, legal matters, and handover notes from the previous administration.
Turaki confirmed that the expulsion certificates had been dispatched via courier to the affected members, including Wike, Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade (SAN), Abdurahman Muhammad, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah Nnanna, George Turna, and Chief Dan Orbih.
The crisis within the PDP intensified after the party lost the 2023 presidential election, leading to leadership struggles and defections of governors, senators, and House of Assembly members to the APC and other parties.
