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…Elects New Leaders, Dissolves Damagum-Led NWC

…. Dissolves Akwa-Ibom, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Rivers Excos

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention has expelled the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, and the former governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose, for anti-party activities.

Others expelled at the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo state, on Saturday are PDP National Organizing Secretary, Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Abdurahman Muhammed, Mao Ohuambuwa, George Turner, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Ammah, and Dan Orbih.

The motion to expel them was moved by Bode George and seconded by Bauchi state PDP Chairman, Samaila Buga.

The convention also dissolved the Ambassador. Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee and proceed to elect new members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

While Sen. Ben Obi and Emmanuel Enoidem moved and seconded the motion for the elective convention to proceed, Gov. Seyi Makinde moved a motion that ratified all congresses that have been concluded from wards to zones. The motion was seconded by the National Auditor, South East. This is also as the Plateau state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, moved a motion to dissolve the excos of Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Abia, and Imo states. The motion was seconded by Dame Ime Udoh.

All the stakeholders, who spoke at the convention, where 2725 delegates voted for new leaders to head the affairs of PDP, including the governor of Adamawa state and Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee, Ahmadu Fintiri, said that the convention must hold.

Although 3100 delegates were expected, 2725 delegates were accredited.

The Edo state chairman of PDP, Tony Azigbemi, moved a motion for the ratification of Amb. Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of PDP.

This is even as flags were presented to the Senate Caucus headed by Sen. Abba Moro, Hon. Fred Agbedi received the House of Reps Flag for House caucus, Gov. Bala Mohammed received the Nigeria flag as Chairman of PDP-Governors’ Forum, Seyi Makinde received the host state flag, Damagum received the flag of PDP, and Fintiri received the Convention Flag to kick start the convention.

Declaring the convention open, Fintiri noted that Nigerians are still looking up to PDP to continue with its role of leadership, adding that the convention gave the opportunity to answer that call.

Fintiri said: “Today again, I am deeply bound to call on our attention to the definition of what the Peoples Democratic Party stands for, a party solidly founded on the tenets of courage and democratic ideals to rescue Nigeria.

“It must at all times never veer off from the course of our fundamental tenets. Nigeria and Nigerians are still looking up to us to play that role that has always been our tradition. We have an opportunity, especially with this convention, to answer this call.

“To take up this call, we must agree that as a party we have a huge responsibility to reinvent ourselves. We must admit that whatever bad has happened to Nigeria over the past few years has also happened to our party.

“Fractured commitment, minimum party loyalty, and disoriented thought, which has left us disunited and disheartened. In the midst of all this, some of us have left, yet some of us have remained. The soul of the party is still intact because some men and women believe in the party’s fundamental tenets, which are embedded in its rescue mission and its capacity to give Nigeria true democratic governance.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on all members who have left the party to return home. I share in their credits, but I also understand that they are more frustrated with where they are and have gone. Yes, we have had our own struggles, but we must also remember that we have had our good times.

“It is sad that we are off to a good course. What we need is the fixed unity of purpose and better resolve and courage to soldier on beyond the election of our national officers.

“As the chairman of the NCOC, it is not within my purview to go on with this exercise.”

The party, which held its national elective convention amidst conflicting court orders, had been embroiled in crisis since the 2023 presidential election and has also been factionalized since the build-up to the national elective convention held on Saturday and Sunday.

The scheduled convention had split the party into two factions led by Amb. Umar Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, respectively.

While the Abuja High Court had stopped the party’s national convention twice, the Ibadan High Court had also twice given the go-ahead for the party to hold its convention.

The party has, however, held the elective convention with a carnival-like atmosphere in Ibadan. The Lekan Salami stadium, where the convention was held in Ibadan, was packed full with a beehive of activities, ranging from colourful displays of banners with pictures of members of the party seeking positions in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not on the ground to monitor the elective convention, independent observers were on the ground to monitor the convention.

Earlier, before the convention, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party had categorically dissociated and distanced itself from the purported Report of the BoT Reconciliation Committee being circulated in some sections of the media.

The BoT stated in clear terms that the content of the said Report is not and does not represent the official position of the Board. “Having not been considered or adopted by the BoT, it cannot in any form or guise whatsoever be regarded as the position of the BoT,” It said.

The BoT, in a statement by its National Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara said that the BoT is unwavering in its endorsement of the conduct of the elective National Convention as scheduled on Saturday, 15th to Sunday, 16th November, 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital for the purpose of electing new set of leaders to pilot the affairs of the Party in the next four years.

“This position is guided by the Judgment of the Supreme Court, which reaffirmed the supremacy of a political party in the conduct of its internal affairs,” the BoT said.

The BoT also rejected any suggestion of the Caretaker Committee taking over the party, adding, “In that regard, the BoT rejects any suggestion for a Caretaker Committee for the Party. Such an idea cannot be contemplated as the Board and, of course, the PDP, have irreversibly decided for an elective National Convention which is within the scope of the internal affairs of the party to which the courts have no jurisdiction.”

The BoT, therefore, urged Party members to remain committed and focused on the success of the Elective National Convention.