…as faction dissolves state executives in six states, orders fresh congresses
… as Turaki’s PDP faction postpones NWC meeting till today
By Sodiq Adelakun and Idowu Adebomi
The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expelled Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo State), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State), and several other senior party officials, including the recently elected National Chairman Kabiru Turaki, SAN.
The faction also declared the expulsion of former Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George; and the recently elected National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
The decision followed a violent confrontation at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Tuesday, where rival factions convened parallel National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees meetings.
During its session, the Wike-led faction also dissolved the state executive councils in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti, directing that caretaker committees be immediately formed and fresh congresses conducted in these states.
A communiqué read by National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu stated that the disciplinary actions were based on reported breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1) of the party constitution, including anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders, and conduct that brings the party into disrepute.
“NEC approved the commencement of disciplinary procedures against the following: Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben N. Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Bala Mohammed, Oluseyi Makinde, Dauda Lawal, and others,” the statement read.
The move comes shortly after the controversial PDP national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, last Saturday, which saw Wike and his supporters expelled by the rival faction, intensifying internal party divisions ahead of planned nationwide reorganisation.
Meanwhile, The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday postponed its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting following disruptions at the party’s national secretariat in Wuse, Abuja.
Addressing journalists at the headquarters, Turaki, the PDP National Chairman, said the postponement was necessary due to disturbances caused by opponents of his leadership.
“Due to some incidents caused by those who are the enemies of progress, the enemies of democracy, we have decided to postpone this meeting till tomorrow,” Turaki stated.
He was joined by Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo State) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State), emphasising the faction’s commitment to peaceful and orderly party activities.
Turaki also recounted the security arrangements ahead of the attempted meeting.
“I told the Commissioner of Police of the FCT that we are coming today to have our inaugural NWC meeting, and I told him that our leaders will be here to witness this historic moment. I also told him that we’ve seen on social media some flyers purporting to give notice of NEC and BOT by the people who are no longer members of this party. And he assured us that he is going to protect us and provide security for us to conduct our meeting,” he said.
Turaki appealed to former U.S. President Donald Trump and the international community to intervene in Nigeria’s political situation, warning that the country’s democracy was at risk as the internal crisis within the PDP intensified.
Speaking to journalists ahead of a National Working Committee (NEC) meeting planned by his faction, Turaki accused the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of leading armed supporters—allegedly backed by police officers—to disrupt party activities.
“I want to call on President Trump; what is at stake is not just genocide against Christians, he should come and save democracy in Nigeria. Democracy is under threat. I am calling all other developed nations, all advanced democracies, come and save Nigeria,” Turaki said.
He further asserted the readiness of his faction’s leaders to risk their lives in defence of the party and the country’s democracy.
“I have said it, we are willing to lay down our lives to protect our office, to protect democracy and to protect our mandate,” he added.
In the same vien, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who also chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, on Tuesday declared that the forum would no longer tolerate actions by individuals attempting to weaken or dismantle the party.
Speaking via his official social media page, Mohammed was responding to the blockade faced by himself, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the newly elected PDP chairman Kabiru Turaki, and other party leaders at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.
“As Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, let me be unequivocal: enough is enough. The Peoples Democratic Party does not belong to any single person; it belongs to the Nigerian people,” he said.
He added: “Concerning the disturbing police blockade of our national secretariat, I reiterate that the PDP Governors’ Forum will not sit back and allow the party to be dismantled by those who neither understand its foundational values nor respect its future.”
Mohammed affirmed that the governors remain committed to collaborating with the newly constituted National Working Committee (NWC) to safeguard the party secretariat, uphold internal democracy, and defend the PDP’s integrity.
“We will achieve this with unity, strategic coordination, and unwavering respect for the rule of law,” he stressed. “The PDP will not be intimidated, coerced, or muted. We have survived more challenging moments and emerged stronger. This episode will not be different. We will come out of it more united and more resolved.”
Mohammed also issued a stern warning to the presidency, cautioning that empowering individuals lacking democratic principles or exploiting state power for internal political conflicts would be dangerous.
“Such behaviour does not serve the nation, and it certainly does not serve the PDP. Instead, it weakens the institutions that hold our democracy together,” he said.
