The Peoples Democratic Party’s decision to expel high-profile members — including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Samuel Anyanwu — dominated proceedings at the party’s national convention in Ibadan on Saturday.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has publicly distanced himself from the expulsions, saying the matter was not discussed by the PDP Governors’ Forum or the party’s National Executive Committee before it was moved on the convention floor. The governor’s position was made clear in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.
The motion to expel the named members was moved at the convention by former deputy national chairman (South), Olabode George, and reportedly seconded by the Bauchi State PDP chairman, Samaila Buga. Delegates put the motion to a voice vote which was overwhelmingly endorsed, signalling the leadership’s intent to punish what it described as anti-party activity.
Mutfwang complained that the expulsion was neither vetted by key party organs nor agreed by governors, and he warned that removing senior stakeholders at such a sensitive time will not heal the party’s divisions. His office described the expulsions as a decision he did not take part in and urged unity and dialogue instead.
The moves at Ibadan have prompted wide coverage across national media and immediate reactions from multiple quarters some sources describing the convention’s action as an attempt to clamp down on dissent, others warning the expulsions risk deepening fractures ahead of the 2027 polls.
