The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly contemplating the expulsion of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as tensions within the party continue to escalate ahead of its national convention.
Top sources within the party told Daily Trust that many officials believe it may be time to take decisive action against the former Rivers State governor if ongoing reconciliation efforts fail. One insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) is currently attempting to mediate between party factions. “If the BoT fails to reconcile the differences, expulsion of Wike and his loyalists appears inevitable. He has consistently shown that it is either his way or no way,” the source said.
The source added that Wike’s alleged support for an APC presidential candidate in 2027 has deepened the party’s frustrations. “You cannot be a PDP leader and openly campaign for an APC presidential candidate and expect nothing to happen. Time will tell,” he said.
Another senior party figure revealed that the Damagum-led NWC is already building consensus on the expulsion, describing it as a last-resort measure following repeated failed attempts to restore unity since the 2023 fallout.
Wike Faction Files Petition Against Justice Akintola
Meanwhile, Wike’s loyalists have approached the National Judicial Council (NJC) over Justice A. L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court. The petition, submitted by Imo State PDP chairman Hon Austin Nwachukwu and other party stakeholders, challenges an ex parte order that allowed the PDP to hold its November 15–16 convention.
The faction argued that Justice Akintola’s order directly contradicts a valid judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, delivered on October 31, which had restrained the party from holding the convention. They described the judge’s actions as a breach of judicial protocol that could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
Court Affirms Convention
Despite the petition, Justice Akintola on Monday reaffirmed his earlier ruling, permitting the PDP to proceed with its convention, provided the party follows the approved timetable and guidelines. The court adjourned the matter to Wednesday for hearing of all pending applications.
The suit, filed by Folahan Adelabi, seeks to prevent the Damagum-led NWC, INEC, and their agents from obstructing the convention.
Wike Camp Unable to Halt Proceedings
Former PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri told Daily Trust that the court’s ruling confirms that the Wike-backed faction cannot stop the convention. He emphasized that the Damagum-led NWC remains the constitutionally recognized leadership of the party.
Tsauri predicted that the convention would lead to the election of new NWC members and trigger a wave of defections back to the PDP. He dismissed the BoT’s intervention as ineffective and stated, “The court has recognized no one except Damagum. After the convention, those who defected to the APC may reconsider their positions.”
With the convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, the PDP remains embroiled in internal conflicts, with the fate of Wike and his loyalists still uncertain.
