BREAKING: PDP expels Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, eight members

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled Nyesom Wike,minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Samuel Anyanwu, its suspendednational secretary; and Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti. Their expulsion was announced on Saturday at the party’snational convention in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. Others expelled include Umar Bature, Ajibade Kamarudeen, MaoOhabunwa, Uwachukuwu, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Mohammed Abdulrahman, AustinNwachukwu and Abraham Amah. Olabode George, former national vice-chairman of the party(south), moved the motion for the expulsion, while Samaila Buga, chairman ofthe PDP in Bauchi, seconded him. Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the PDPGovernors’ Forum, put it to a voice vote. BACKGROUNDThe Wike-led PDP faction had sought to halt the conventionthrough the courts, but the party secured a high court judgement in Oyoallowing the event to proceed. Ohabunwa, chairman of the board of trustees (BoT) of theWike faction, said anyone going to Ibadan for the purpose of convention wouldjust be going there to relax because the exercise would not be recognised bylaw. He taunted the other faction, describing the exercise as a“jamboree” and advised attendees to “have fun” in Ibadan. According to Ohabunwa, Anyanwu had issued a circularnotifying members about the convention’s postponement. “We have met as the national working committee of PDP andreviewed our activities. We have agreed to obey all the court decisions on theIbadan convention. So, we are not part of the exercise,” he said. “Ibadan is a public place; people can go for anything butnot for convention. Anyone going there in the name of convention shouldconsider it a jamboree.” “We won’t tolerate flagrant abuse of the constitution bysome individuals in the name of a convention,” he added. Mohammed Abdulrahman, acting national chairman of thefaction, also urged delegates to stay away from the convention and wait for theright time. “We are concerned with moving PDP forward; therefore, alldelegates across the country should stay away from the Ibadan convention,”Abdulrahman said. Abdulrahman added that he would continue mobilising membersacross the 36 states and the FCT to strengthen a united PDP. Wike, meanwhile, commended party members for defending thePDP in their respective areas and pledged his support. “I am happy with your concern about the party in yourrespective areas. I will continue to support you people; I won’t betray youpeople,” he said. He insisted that his camp would always uphold the rule oflaw and would not succumb to intimidation.

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