PDP Crisis: Turaki-led Bloc Issues Wike, Others Expulsion Certificates

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party deepened on Tuesday as the Kabiru Turaki-led bloc of the party announced that it had issued expulsion certificates to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose; and nine others earlier expelled by the PDP national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Turaki bloc is backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

Turaki, who displayed the certificates during a briefing with newsmen at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, said the action was taken to formally affirm the decisions of the convention—the party’s highest decision-making organ—and to prevent the affected individuals from violating Nigerian laws on dual party membership.

He said, “We have also considered the issue of members of our party who were expelled by the national convention in Ibadan. We have taken note of the fact that Nigerian law frowns on dual membership of political parties, and so we have sought to make it easy for them. Now that they are no longer members of our party… we have decided to issue them certificates of expulsion.”

Turaki displayed each certificate one after the other, beginning with that of Wike and Fayose, and noted that all 11 certificates had already been dispatched via courier to the affected individuals.

“This is the certificate of expulsion of His Excellency Nyesom Wike. An original copy has gone to him via courier.

“This is the certificate of His Excellency Ayodele Fayose; it has also been sent to him through courier.

“This is proof that he has been expelled from the PDP. Next is the certificate of distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu; it has been sent to him via courier.

“Next is the certificate of expulsion of Honourable Umaru Bature; that has also been sent to him via courier.

“Next is the certificate of Kamarudeen Ajibade, Senior Advocate of Nigeria; that has also been sent to him via courier.

“Next is that of Abdurahman Muhammad; it has also been sent to him via courier.

“The next one is for Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; it has been sent to him via courier services.

“The next one is for Mr Austin Nwachukwu; his certificate of expulsion has also been sent to him via courier.

“The next is that of Abraham Nnanna; it has been sent to him via courier.

“Second to the last is that of George Turna; this certificate has also been sent to him via courier services. I am sure some of them have already received theirs.

“Last but not least is that of Chief Dan Orbih; it has been sent to him through courier.”

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to take note that the 11 persons are no longer members of the PDP.

Addressing the controversy regarding Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s status within the party, Turaki noted that changing political platforms is within any citizen’s constitutional rights.

“If he (Adeleke) decides—either in person or via a representative at the centre of the primary—that he has withdrawn or refused to make himself available, then that will form part of the report we will receive.

“As far as we are concerned, even if what we saw on social media is true, as a Nigerian, Governor Adeleke, like any other person, has the constitutional right to freedom of association. He is free to move on; he is free to move out of any political party.”

On the party’s preparations for the 2026 Osun State governorship election, Turaki said the NWC was satisfied with developments so far.