The deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) erupted dramatically on Saturday, November 15, 2025, as the party’s National Convention in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, descended into a full-blown confrontation, culminating in the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Ayodele Fayose, the past governor of Ekiti State, and 10 other prominent figures for alleged anti-party activities.
The decision, pushed through at the PDP’s 20th National Convention held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, has further fractured the already divided opposition party and triggered a fresh wave of legal and political backlash.
Others expelled include: National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade; factional chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman; Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa; Austin Nwachukwu; Abraham Amah; George Turner; and Chief Dan Orbih.
A motion for their expulsion, moved by PDP elder statesman Chief Olabode George and seconded by Bauchi PDP Chairman Samaila Burga, scaled through effortlessly despite objections from key stakeholders.
At the convention, a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki (SAN) was elected as the National Chairman of the party.
Turaki emerged as the new chairman at the national convention of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State, where delegates from 17 states across the country cast their votes to choose national officers.
A former lawmaker representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, Senator Ben Obi, said the former minister scored 1,516 votes during the exercise held at Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on Saturday.
Obi said that Senator Yakubu Danmarke scored 275 votes.
He disclosed that a total of 1,834 votes were cast and 43 voted were voided.
“It is therefore clear that from the votes cast that Timinu Turaki has won the position of the National Chairman of the PDP with a total of 1,516 votes,” he declared.
He also said Solarin Adekunle emerged as the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the PDP.
He said two national positions were contested.
A total of 3,131 delegates participated in the exercise, while 2,745 delegates were accredited.
Delegates also unanimously confirmed Umaru Damagum as substantive National Chairman, another move that has sharpened internal divisions.
Two governors loyal to Damagum, Adamawa Governor Umaru Fintiri and Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang, publicly distanced themselves from the expulsions.
Fintiri, chair of the convention’s organising committee, stunned delegates when he announced his withdrawal mid-proceedings over the absence of INEC officials and ongoing litigation.
“With various litigations for and against this convention, it is not within my prerogative to continue with this exercise,” Fintiri declared. He later warned that the expulsions could “plunge the PDP into an unending crisis.”
Mutfwang, in a separate statement, said the matter was never discussed at the PDP Governors’ Forum or the National Executive Council, insisting the move does not represent his position.
Saturday’s dramatic scenes came despite two subsisting Federal High Court orders halting the convention.
Former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido had secured rulings from Justice Peter Lifu and Justice James Omotosho restraining the PDP and INEC from proceeding after he was denied the nomination form to contest the national chairmanship.
Justice Lifu, ruling again on Friday, ordered the PDP to suspend the convention entirely.
But the Damagum camp pushed ahead, arguing that a separate ruling by the Oyo State High Court permitted the event. Justice Ladiran Akintola had on November 3 ordered INEC to attend and monitor the convention based on an ex parte application.
The conflicting court orders deepened confusion and provided ammunition for those who dismissed the gathering as illegitimate.
Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, ridiculed the event as a festive charade, saying on X, “They gathered in Ibadan to do a social party, enjoyed themselves, got intoxicated, and said anything. No one should take them seriously.”
Abia PDP Chairman Abraham Amah, also expelled, called the convention “an aberration,” insisting it violated multiple court orders.
South-South PDP Secretary George Turner described it bluntly as a “social gathering,” not a convention.
The South-South acting Publicity Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, said the event was held “in clear defiance of due process,” arguing that the absence of INEC alone rendered it “legally unsustainable.”
Notably absent from the convention were three governors: Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba), fuelling speculation of imminent defections.
Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor said their absence “speaks volumes.”
The APC’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, has already claimed that Kefas would join the ruling party on Wednesday, November 19, while Adeleke and Fubara are also rumoured to be weighing options.
In another controversial move, the convention dissolved all PDP structures, ward, LG, and state, in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers.
The motion, moved by Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde and seconded by National Auditor Daniel Okechukwu, claimed the decision was to ratify congresses and address irregularities.
But critics insist the dissolutions were used to sideline perceived opponents, further heightening tensions.
Announcing the expulsions on X, the PDP insisted the National Convention is supreme and has authority under Articles 10 and 58 of its Constitution to discipline any member.
South-West PDP Chairman Kamorudeen Ajisafe said the expulsions were overdue:
“Wike and others wanted to destroy the party. We cannot allow that.”
He stressed that Lamido was not expelled because “he remains a respected leader.”
With duelling court orders, boycotting governors, internal rebellion, and accusations of illegality, the events in Ibadan have pushed the PDP into one of the most turbulent moments in its history.
As appeals head to higher courts and expelled leaders prepare their responses, the opposition party faces a defining battle that may determine its survival, or its fragmentation.
In his acceptance speech, Turaki told members and supporters of the party that the confidence reposed in him would not be taken for granted.
He assured members of the party that he would carry out the mandate assigned to him.
While recalling the history of the PDP, the SAN said, “Today, as I talk to you, the only political party that has retained its name is the Peoples Democratic Party.
“This has been possible because this is the party for the Nigerian people. Make no mistake about it; we are returning the party to you, the people. There will be no more impunity.
The former minister said the party would listen to Nigerians and give them what they want.
He said the PDP would reunite the party by bringing back those who have left.
“We will appeal to you to come back because the task ahead of us is saving
Nigerian democracy, saving Nigeria from the precipice,” he added.
He also said the party would soon release its guiding principles and hit the ground running.
Turaki, 54, hails from Kebbi State and attended the University of Jos, Plateau State, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Law.
He was called to the bar after completing his studies at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos.
He has over 25 years of post-qualification experience.
The senior lawyer was also a candidate for the Kebbi State governorship election in 2011.
He was sworn in by then-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and was appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Special Duties, Presidency, in February 2013.
The national convention, which was held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, had delegates from 17 states across the country in attendance.
Governor who attended the convention were Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
Others were the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro; a former governor of Osun, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, his Gombe counterpart, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo; and the Board of Trustees chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; and a chieftain of the party, among others.
The convention was organised despite ongoing litigation over its legitimacy.
The PDP has been battling an internal leadership crisis that led to a division within the party.
