Cynthia Ezegwu
Former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council, Umar Sani, has defended the party’s decision to expel Nyesom Wike and other senior members, describing the move as “better late than never.”
Sani made the remarks on Monday during an interview on Arise News’ Morning Show, addressing criticisms over the timing of disciplinary actions and the legality of the party’s recently concluded national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He explained that the PDP initially attempted internal reconciliation through the Ambassador Hassan Adamu Committee, which mediated between the disputing factions. “We wanted to resolve this as a family, but it became clear there was no way to do so. Wike himself described it as a dispute among family members. One of his conditions was that we agree not to field a presidential candidate in 2027. We cannot wait for a fight to finish; we have to end the fight,” Sani said.
On the party convention, Sani clarified confusion over the presence of election observers. He recalled that the master of ceremonies initially introduced certain individuals as INEC officials, but Governor Bala Mohammed corrected the record, stating they were national election observers. Sani quickly issued a statement to clarify the matter.
He added that INEC’s presence is not mandatory to validate a party convention, citing the example of the Labour Party, whose convention proceeded without INEC but was later recognised by the commission following a court order. Sani noted that the PDP followed statutory requirements, including a 21-day notice, and held the convention in compliance with court directives from Justice A.L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court.
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The convention, held on Saturday, elected Kabiru Turaki, former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, as National Chairman, and Taofeek Arapaja, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, as National Secretary.
In a move to assert party discipline, the PDP expelled high-profile members, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, former National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, and Imo PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, among others, for alleged anti-party activities.
The expulsion motion was moved by former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South) Bode George, seconded by Bauchi State PDP Chairman Samaila Buga, and subsequently endorsed through a voice vote chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed, signalling the party’s renewed resolve to confront internal dissent.