By Ademola Adekusibe
18th November 2025
In a shocking move that has sent tremors through Nigeria’s political landscape, the Wike-led faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday officially expelled 17 prominent members, including Governor Oluseyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the faction, publicly read the full list of expelled members: Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben N. Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Bala Mohammed, Oluseyi Makinde, Dauda Lawal, Taofiq Arapaja, Setonji Koshoedo, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Woyengikuro Daniel, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, Sumaila Adamu Burga, Umar Sani, Udom Emmanuel, and Emmanuel Enorden.
Alongside the expulsions, the faction also dissolved party executives in six key states — Oyo, Bauchi, Ekiti, Zamfara, Edo, and Lagos — leaving local party structures in complete disarray. Political analysts say the drastic measures are aimed at consolidating Wike’s control over the party ahead of the 2027 elections but warn that it risks deepening divisions and potentially fracturing the PDP entirely.
Sources within the party claim the expulsions stem from disagreements over candidate endorsements, leadership direction, and power consolidation. Some insiders have described the move as a “purge,” while opposition parties are reportedly looking to capitalize on the internal PDP chaos.
This unprecedented action raises urgent questions about the future of the PDP as a viable opposition party and the ability of Nigeria’s political system to withstand such intra-party conflicts.
