Wike, Fayose, And Others’ Expulsion: What It Means For PDP In 2027

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged itself deeper into political turbulence after expelling Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and nine other influential members during its national convention held in Ibadan.

The move, described by party leaders as a decisive step to restore unity and discipline, could significantly reshape the 2027 electoral landscape—either strengthening PDP’s resolve or accelerating its decline.

The decision, taken at the Lekan Salami Stadium and attended by delegates from only 17 states, overshadowed the election of Dr. Kabiru Turaki as the party’s new National Chairman.

With multiple lawsuits and factional battles hanging over the convention, the expulsions have intensified a crisis that has lingered since the PDP’s 2023 electoral defeats.

The Crisis

The party’s internal war dates back to the bitter 2023 elections, when disagreement over zoning, candidate selection, and leadership direction led to a historic fracture.

Wike, once a PDP kingmaker, spearheaded the “Integrity Group” of five governors who opposed the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate. His later acceptance of a ministerial appointment in the APC-led federal government and open endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for 2027 deepened suspicions of sabotage.

In the run-up to the Ibadan convention, Wike’s loyalists secured court injunctions from the Federal High Court in Abuja and other judicial divisions to halt the exercise.

They argued that state congresses and national preparations violated PDP’s amended 2017 constitution. Justice Peter Lifu’s November 14 order stopping the convention was brushed aside by the acting National Chairman Umar Damagum’s faction, which relied on a counter-order from an Oyo State High Court.

Sparse attendance and high-profile absences, including Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, exposed the party’s worsening fractures.

With PDP controlling only 11 states and struggling to present a unified front, analysts warn that the party is inching toward an existential cliff. The power struggle now pits pro-Wike factions against a reinvigorated anti-Wike bloc determined to salvage the party ahead of 2027.

Why They Were Expelled

The expulsion of the 11 members was swift and unanimous. Acting Chairman Bode George moved the motion, accusing the group of anti-party activities ranging from supporting APC candidates to filing court cases aimed at derailing party processes. Citing Articles 33(2)(i), (j), (n), and (r) of the PDP constitution, the National Convention ratified the decision through a voice vote led by Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed.

List of expelled members are Nyesom Wike, Ayodele Fayose, Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Mao Ohuabunwa, Austine Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, George Turne, Dan Orbih

The party also dissolved executive committees in Rivers, Imo, and Abia—states known to be Wike’s political strongholds. While PDP leaders insist the action was constitutional and necessary, critics argue the expulsions were abrupt, lacked fair hearing, and violated internal disciplinary procedures.

PDP Standing

Following the convention, PDP leaders projected confidence. New Chairman Kabiru Turaki, who polled 1,516 votes, pledged to rebuild the party’s credibility.

Damagum framed the expulsions as a “turning point” for the organization, while Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara said the move signaled the party’s determination to enforce discipline.

Host Governor Seyi Makinde, an outspoken critic of Wike, backed the decisions, calling them essential for repositioning the party ahead of 2027.

However, the party remains deeply vulnerable. Its National Working Committee is fractured, governors are divided, and the South-South and South-West bases—formerly PDP strongholds—are alienated.

Many fear that disregarding federal court orders could trigger contempt proceedings, further damaging the party’s credibility. Internal analysts warn that unless reconciliation begins immediately, PDP risks becoming a regional shell with diminishing national relevance.

Reactions

Wike mocked the convention as a “social gathering for the intoxicated” during Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Ado-Ekiti, insisting he and his allies would not acknowledge the decision. Fayose, in trademark defiance, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “The dead don’t expel the living,” describing PDP as a “political corpse.”

Within the party, dissent mounted. Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who chaired the convention planning committee, distanced himself from the expulsions and left the venue abruptly. Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the move as divisive and poorly timed. House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda criticized the process for lacking due process entirely.

Observers on social media were sharply divided, with some celebrating the expulsions as overdue discipline and others declaring PDP a “dead party.” APC supporters mocked the development, calling it evidence of PDP’s terminal decline.

Wike’s camp has called for an emergency NEC and BoT meeting in Abuja, setting the stage for further legal and political confrontations.

What It Means For The 2027 Election

The expulsions could either revitalize PDP or push it toward collapse.

A best-case scenario would see the party consolidate around new leadership, silence internal saboteurs, and craft a more coherent strategy for 2027.

But the risks are far greater: Wike’s grip on Rivers politics threatens PDP’s access to one of Nigeria’s highest vote-yielding states. Fayose’s ouster could weaken PDP’s already fragile footprint in Ekiti and the broader South-West.

Governors’ open revolt suggests possible defections, which could cripple the party ahead of the elections. If the crisis deepens, the APC stands to benefit enormously, potentially granting President Tinubu a smooth path to re-election.

As political analysts note: “Removing Wike doesn’t end the story—it begins the sequel.”

Whether Ibadan 2025 becomes the moment PDP finds its footing or the point of no return remains to be seen. What is clear is that Nigeria’s opposition landscape is now more volatile than ever.