The simmering crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated sharply on Tuesday after the faction led by former minister Kabiru Turaki issued formal “certificates of expulsion” to eleven prominent figures, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose.
Backed by Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde, the Turaki bloc presented the certificates at a press briefing at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, describing the move as an affirmation of decisions already taken by the party’s national convention in Ibadan—the PDP’s highest decision-making body.
Turaki said the documents were issued to prevent the affected politicians from violating Nigerian law, which bars dual membership of political parties. “Now that they are no longer members of our party… we have decided to issue them certificates of expulsion,” he told reporters.
One by one, he displayed certificates purportedly dispatched via courier to Wike, Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade (SAN), Abdurahman Muhammad, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Nnanna, George Turna and Chief Dan Orbih.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the police and other security agencies to note that the individuals are “no longer members of the PDP.”
The faction also waded into speculation surrounding Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke’s status within the party, insisting that any citizen has a constitutional right to change political platforms. Turaki said whether or not Adeleke participated in the party’s governorship processes would be reflected in official reports. “He is free to move in or out of any political party,” he added.
Despite the turmoil, Turaki insisted that preparations for the 2026 Osun governorship poll were progressing smoothly. He said the National Working Committee had reviewed and approved the congresses held to select delegates and was “satisfied” with reports from the ongoing primary process. “Everything is being done in an orderly, transparent, fair and just manner,” he said. “That is vintage PDP.”
On the legal front, he disclosed that the party is pursuing cases related to what it described as the unlawful closure of its Legacy House and Wadata Plaza headquarters. According to him, lawyers had assured the NWC that “the law will take its course.”
Turaki also confirmed that former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu—recently nominated as ambassadors—had yet to formally notify the party of their new appointments. He said the new NWC was meticulously reviewing handover notes from the previous leadership to ensure continuity.
But in a sharp turn from internal housekeeping to national politics, Turaki delivered a blistering critique of the Tinubu administration, accusing it of failing to protect Nigerians amid a surge in kidnappings and violent attacks.
“Nigerians are not safe on the streets, in their workplaces, on the farms, in the markets, or in their homes,” he said. “Every citizen lives and works in perpetual fear.”
He argued that the ruling All Progressives Congress had “not lived up to expectations” and called for an urgent overhaul of the country’s security architecture, including a re-examination of the role of state governors who are designated “chief security officers” yet lack control over security operatives in their states.
With expulsions, legal battles, and political manoeuvring now unfolding simultaneously, the PDP’s internal rifts appear far from healing—raising fresh questions about the party’s cohesion ahead of crucial off-cycle and national elections.
