Damagum-Led NWC Finally Agrees To Expel Wike As Court Reaffirms Order Allowing Convention The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a decisive turn as the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) is reportedly set to finalise plans to expel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from the party.
According to senior party insiders who spoke to Daily Trust, a growing consensus has emerged within the NWC and among influential stakeholders that Wike’s continued stay in the PDP is no longer tenable, especially after months of failed reconciliation efforts. One top party official, who requested anonymity, said expulsion now appears inevitable unless the latest peace initiative led by the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) yields an unlikely breakthrough.
“WIKE HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT’S EITHER HIS WAY OR NOTHING,” THE SOURCE SAID. “GOVERNORS CLOSE TO HIM HAVE APPEALED TO HIM REPEATEDLY, BUT HE WON’T LISTEN. IF THE BOT FAILS TO RECONCILE BOTH SIDES, THE PARTY WILL TAKE ACTION AT THE CONVENTION.”
The source added that no political party would tolerate a top member openly campaigning for an opposing presidential candidate, especially ahead of the 2027 elections. Another northern PDP leader confirmed that discussions within the NWC have shifted significantly in favour of expulsion, arguing the decision should have been taken much earlier.
“IT’S BETTER LATE THAN NEVER,” HE SAID. “EVERY RECONCILIATION ATTEMPT SINCE THE 2023 ELECTION FALLOUT HAS FAILED. IF THEY SECURE THE NUMBERS THEY’RE TARGETING BEFORE THE CONVENTION, WIKE AND HIS LOYALISTS MAY HAVE NO PLACE LEFT IN THE PDP.”
Wike Camp Petitions NJC Over Justice Akintola Meanwhile, the faction loyal to Wike has taken its fight to the judiciary. The group submitted a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) accusing Justice A. L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court of “judicial recklessness” for granting an order permitting the PDP to proceed with its national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16. Imo State PDP chairman and Wike ally, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Monday, said the petition—dated November 5 and received by the Chief Justice’s office on November 6—was filed to challenge the judge’s ex parte order.
Justice Akintola’s ruling had contradicted an earlier order by the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the PDP from holding the convention until procedural issues were resolved.
The petitioners argued that the Oyo court’s order amounted to the judge “sitting on appeal” over a court of coordinate jurisdiction, warning that such actions risk undermining the rule of law.
“THIS THREATENS THE INTEGRITY OF THE JUDICIARY AND SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT,” THE PETITION STATED, URGING THE NJC TO TAKE SWIFT DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
Court Reaffirms Order Allowing Convention Despite the controversy, Justice Akintola on Monday reaffirmed his earlier order permitting the convention to go ahead. He directed the party’s leadership to strictly follow the approved guidelines and adjourned the matter to Wednesday for the hearing of pending applications.
The claimant in the case, Folahan Adelabi, is seeking to restrain the party leadership and INEC from truncating the planned national convention. “Wike Camp Can’t Stop Convention” — Former PDP Scribe A former PDP National Secretary, Ibrahim Tsauri, dismissed fears that the convention might be derailed by the Wike faction. Speaking to Daily Trust, he insisted the court had cleared the path for the event to proceed.
“WHEN THE ABUJA COURT SAID WE SHOULD STOP, WE OBEYED. NOW ANOTHER COURT SAYS GO AHEAD. WHICH ONE DO WE OBEY? THE LATEST ORDER,” HE SAID.
Tsauri maintained that the Damagum-led NWC remains the party’s only recognised leadership and warned that recent suspensions of top officers showed that no member is untouchable. He also predicted a political realignment after the convention. “Once we elect new NWC members, don’t be surprised if by the end of 2026, those who defected to the APC begin to return.
Even President Tinubu may realise contesting against the PDP is a waste of resources.” Tsauri dismissed the factional BoT backed by Wike as “child’s play.” All Eyes on November Convention As tensions rise, the PDP’s national convention is shaping up to be a decisive moment for the party’s future.
Whether the reconciliation committee’s report can avert a full-blown breakup—or whether Wike’s expulsion will mark the start of a new chapter—will become clearer in the coming days.
