The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a major step to tidy up its internal structure ahead of the next general elections.
PDP has now issued formal expulsion certificates to eleven high-profile members, including former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose.
The announcement followed the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, briefed journalists after the session, explaining that the move was aimed at restoring order and ending long-running internal disputes that had troubled the party in recent years.
Turaki said the new NWC reviewed a wide range of issues, including party activities, ongoing primary processes, court matters, and documents handed over by the previous leadership. According to him, the certificates had already been dispatched to the affected individuals through courier.
Those affected include Wike, Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade (SAN), Abdurahman Muhammad, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah Nnanna, George Turna and Chief Dan Orbih.
“They have been expelled. They remain expelled. We have now certified their expulsion, and these certificates have been sent to them,” Turaki said.
He stated that the decision was also communicated to relevant national institutions, including INEC and security agencies, in order to make the status of the expelled members clear.
He added that the party would soon release public disclaimers cautioning the public against dealing with the individuals in the name of the PDP. “Any person henceforth who decides to do business with them… does so at his or her own risk,” he warned.
Turaki also shed light on the party’s activities in Osun State. He confirmed that the congresses conducted to select ad-hoc delegates were examined and approved by the NWC.
He added that the governorship primary in the state was ongoing and that Senator Ademola Adeleke remained a recognised member and aspirant.
He dismissed reports of Adeleke’s alleged resignation from the party, saying the NWC had received no official letter to that effect.
Speaking further, the chairman stressed that the PDP’s strength had never been tied to individual political officeholders. He described the party as one that draws its real power from its members across the country. “Our power, our strength… is in the people, and that is why the PDP is the People’s Party,” he said.
He also addressed the nomination of former governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as ambassadors.
Turaki explained that the party was not aware of any formal notice from them and would only respond when proper communication is received. “If they come to us, we will certainly consider it on its merit,” he said.
During the briefing, the chairman used the opportunity to comment on the worsening security situation in the country. He criticised the performance of the APC-led government and called for a complete overhaul of the security architecture.
According to him, Nigerians no longer feel safe in any environment—on the roads, in workplaces, at markets, or even in their homes. He also noted that state governors cannot truly function as chief security officers when they lack operational control over security agencies.
Turaki added that the NWC had reviewed various court cases affecting the party, including those involving the closure of its offices at Legacy House and Wadata Plaza. He expressed confidence that the party would prevail legally.
He said the new NWC had already begun studying the handover notes left by the former executives, assuring that the party was working to strengthen internal operations and prepare for future electoral contests.
“We are now prepared to be saddled with the responsibility of performing our functions as the leading opposition party in Nigeria,” he said.
