The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factions led by Kabiru Turaki and Nyesom Wike have each issued a separate disclaimer noting that their opponents are no longer party members.
During the party’s elective convention, which took place in Ibadan from November 15 to 16, the Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) presented a notice identifying 11 lawmakers it said had been expelled.
Nyesom Wike, Samuel Anyanwu, Ayodele Fayose, Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Turnah, Dan Orbih, Austine Nwachukwu, Mon’d Abdulrahman, and Abraham Amah were named and photographed on the notice.
The national chairman, Turaki, signed the statement, which issued a warning that “any interactions or representations made by these expelled members are not authorised by our great party.”
The disclaimer added that anyone engaging with the affected politicians “does so at their own peril”.
The notification came after Umar Damagum gave Turaki the 11 politicians in Abuja their expulsion certificates.
According to Turaki, the action was motivated by the PDP’s need to regain discipline.
“These actions were necessary to cleanse our ranks of elements who have consistently worked against the PDP’s interests, including holding parallel congresses, sponsoring litigations and canvassing votes for opposing parties,” he said.
“With these certificates, the affected individuals are free to continue to align with any political platform of their choice, but they can no longer claim membership of the PDP.”
He added that the opposition party must now rebuild ahead of the next general election.
“The PDP will never die,” he said.
“This party is bigger than any individual or group, and those who have chosen to dine with our opponents while still wearing our colours have been shown the way out.”
In response, the Wike-aligned group issued a counter-disclaimer listing eighteen lawmakers that it said had been expelled on November 18 by the National Executive Committee (NEC) for transgressions ranging from “gross misconduct” to “anti-party activities.”
The notice, signed by Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary, listed Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal, Seyi Makinde, Emmanuel Udom, Adolphus Wabara, Taofeek Arapaja, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Ben Obi, Bode George, Okechukwu Obiechina, Emmanuel Ogidi, Emmanuel Eledan, Suleiman Kadade Mohammed, Sumaila Adamu Bunza, Kosheodo Sotonji, Daniel Woyengikuro, Umar Sani and Umar Bargo.
The faction said the individuals were “falsely parading themselves as members or officers of the Peoples Democratic Party”.
It asked the public to disregard any claims made by persons on the list.
“Anybody parading himself as a newly elected national officer of the party is an impostor and a meddlesome interloper,” the disclaimer reads.
Additionally, the faction claimed that the Ibadan convention that resulted in Turaki’s NWC “was a charade and a mere social gathering” that was not acknowledged under the party’s charter.
The duelling disclaimers are the most recent signs of the PDP’s simmering instability after two competing leadership structures emerged.
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