“I’ll Never Allow It”: Wike Says No One in PDP Has the Authority to Remove Him, Blasts Makinde and Bala Mohammed

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has rejected an expulsion notice issued by a faction of the People’s Democratic Party, insisting that no group within the party has the power to remove him. Speaking at a meeting with members of his own faction of PDP Board of Trustees and National Executive Council in Abuja, Wike said he remains a founding member who has made long-standing contributions to the party.

“No one can expel me from the PDP,” he said. “I have been here from the beginning. I have worked for this party, and I will never allow people who joined later to push me out.”

The expulsion threat was issued by a bloc aligned with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. Wike criticised both men, questioning their commitment to the party and their roles in its current troubles.

“Those who met me in this party now think they can decide who stays,” he said. “Ask Bala Mohammed which party he used to run for the Senate. This party has given opportunities to many who came from elsewhere, and now they believe they can chase away those who made sacrifices from the start.”

He added that attempts to sideline long-serving members would not succeed. “If people tolerated this before, we will not. I will not allow anyone to destroy the PDP.”

The meeting brought together senior stakeholders, including former Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former deputy speaker Uche Nwuche, Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and Board of Trustees members from across the country.

Factional BoT Chairman Mao Ohuabunwa urged the party’s elders to approach the crisis with a unified stance. He said the board was making progress in establishing caretaker committees in states where congresses have not been conducted and emphasised the need for coherence as the party restructures.

The PDP has faced internal division since it lost the 2023 presidential election. The crisis has deepened with the defection of governors from Delta, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa to the ruling APC. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke also resigned from the PDP, though he has not joined another party.

Legal disputes continue alongside the political tension. Last week, the Kabiru Turaki-led faction asked Justice Joyce Abdulmalik to withdraw from a case concerning party leadership, arguing that circumstances raised doubts about receiving a fair hearing. The group requested that the matter be reassigned to another judge for determination on its merits.