The turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Thursday after two rival factions issued competing disclaimers, each declaring the other’s members expelled, deepening the rift ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki on Wednesday released a notice listing 11 senior politicians, including Nyesom Wike, Ayodele Fayose and Samuel Anyanwu, claiming they had been expelled during the PDP’s national convention in Ibadan held on 15–16 November.
The expulsion was formalised with “certificates of expulsion” officially dispatched to those affected, Turaki said. The certificates are intended to notify electoral and security agencies that the individuals are no longer members of the party.
Turaki defended the removals as a necessary step to “cleanse our ranks” of individuals he accused of anti‑party activities, including sponsoring parallel congresses, litigations, and canvassing votes for opposition parties.
In a statement, Turaki warned that anyone engaging with the expelled members “does so at their own peril.”
“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,” Turaki said. “The PDP will never die. This party is bigger than any individual or group.”
The Wike-aligned faction, rejecting the Ibadan convention as unconstitutional, responded with its own expulsions on 18 November. The faction, led by Samuel Anyanwu, expelled 18 members of the Turaki faction, including Turaki himself, citing “anti-party activities” and “gross misconduct.”
The Wike camp described the Ibadan convention as “a charade and a mere social gathering,” urging the public to disregard any claims or actions from Turaki’s group. “Anybody parading themselves as a newly elected national officer of the party is an impostor and a meddlesome interloper,” the faction said in a statement.
Recall that the crisis had spilled into open confrontation at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja. Supporters of both factions clashed over control of the building, with police reportedly firing tear gas to disperse crowds. Turaki and his allies eventually occupied the secretariat, while Wike’s faction held simultaneous meetings in another section, further demonstrating the depth of the division.
State chapters have reacted differently to the rival claims. Some, like the Edo State PDP chapter, rejected the Ibadan convention and dismissed the expulsion certificates as political theatrics. Others have called for reconciliation and adherence to the party’s constitution. Analysts warn that the fracturing along state lines could weaken the PDP’s national structure and electoral influence.
The PDP has a history of internal conflicts and leadership struggles, particularly during periods preceding elections. Since its founding, the party has faced factionalism, zoning disputes, and lawsuits over leadership legitimacy. Observers note that the current crisis is one of the most serious in recent years, threatening to erode public confidence in the party’s ability to function as a unified opposition.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the duelling factions pose significant risks to the PDP’s electoral prospects. Both Turaki and Wike insist they represent the true PDP, but the division could lead to defections, weaken grassroots mobilization, and create confusion among voters. Political analysts suggest that unless a legal or reconciliatory resolution is reached, the PDP may struggle to present a cohesive platform for the upcoming elections.
The Turaki faction has argued that the Ibadan convention was legitimate, citing internal party procedures and votes during the gathering. They maintain that their actions are lawful and that the party must rebuild under their leadership. The Wike faction, however, contends that the convention violated internal democratic procedures and court injunctions, maintaining that only their NEC and Board of Trustees constitute the lawful leadership.
The crisis leaves the PDP in a precarious position. Legal battles are expected to continue, with both factions likely to seek court validation of their leadership. Meanwhile, the party faces the challenge of maintaining cohesion, reassuring supporters, and presenting a credible opposition to the ruling party.