Ibadan: PDP Expels Wike, Anyanwu, Fayose At National Convention

By Ayodele Oni

Despite Court orders stopping the National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from holding in Ibadan, Oyo state, it still held with the  expulsion of Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State,  Samuel Anyanwu, former Secretary of the party.

Chief Olabode George, former National Vice Chairman of the party (South) moved the motion for the expulsion at the ongoing convention in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Hon Samaila Burga, Chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State, seconded the motion.

The PDP faction loyal to Wike had moved to stop the convention through the court, but the party secured judgement at a high court in Oyo to make the convention hold.

A few days to the convention, Mao Ohabunwa, chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Wike-led faction, ​said anyone going to Ibadan for the purpose of convention would just going there to relax because the exercise would not be recognized by law.

​Taunting the other faction, he said those interested in going to Ibadan should relax and have fun, describing the exercise as a “jamboree.”

​According to him, Anyanwu, had issued a circular, notifying members about the postponement of the convention.

​”We have met as the national working committee of PDP, and reviewed our activities. We have agreed to obey all the court decisions on the Ibadan convention. So, we are not part of the exercise.

​”Ibadan is a public place, people can go for anything but not for convention, anyone going there in the name of convention should consider it a jamboree.

​”We won’t tolerate flagrant abuse of the constitution by some individuals in the name of a convention,” Ohuabunwa had said.

​The faction’s acting national chairman, Abdulrahman Muhammad, also called on the delegates to stay away from the convention and wait for the right time.

​Muhammad promised to keep mobilizing members across the 36 states and the FCT for a strong and united PDP.

​”We are concerned with moving PDP forward, therefore, all delegates across the country should stay away from the Ibadan convention,” said Muhammad.

On his part, Wike had commended members of the party for defending PDP in their respective areas.

​He insisted that his camp would always uphold the rule of law and would not succumb to intimidation.

​Wike pledged not to betray those that believe in the constitution of the party.

​”I am happy with your concern about the party in your respective areas, I will continue to support you people, I won’t betray you people,” he said.

Also former Senate President Bukola Saraki had opposed the holding of the convention and called for a caretaker committee to take over affairs of the party