The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly considering the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from the party.

It was learnt from top party sources that, given the prevailing situation within the PDP, there is growing consensus among key officials that the time has come to expel the former governor of Rivers State.

One of the sources, who asked not to be named, told Daily Trust that if the reconciliation efforts led by the Adolphus Wabara-headed Board of Trustees (BoT) fail, members would have no option but to expel Wike from the party.

He said, ?As you can see, the FCT Minister has shown that it is either his way or nothing else. Many people, including governors close to him, have tried to make him see reason, but he has refused to listen.

The only thing that can change the decision to expel Wike and his loyalists from the party is if the BoT manages to reconcile the factions, which I doubt. The committee is expected to submit its report tomorrow (Tuesday). Once that effort fails, something will be done at the convention,? he said.

The source added, ?You cannot be a PDP leader and openly campaign for an APC president in 2027 and expect nothing to happen. Nobody will accept that. Only time will tell.?

Another source said members of the Damagum-led NWC were already building consensus around Wike?s expulsion, a move analysts argue should have been considered long before the crisis deepened and split the NWC into two factions.

?That?s why leaders are now thinking it?s better late than never. Expulsion appears to be the last resort, since all reconciliation efforts by Damagum and the governors since the 2023 fallout have failed. No one really expects the latest peace attempt by the Wabara-led BoT to change anything. So, if they manage to secure the numbers they?re targeting, expelling the minister and his loyalists may be the only way out,? another senior party leader from one of the northern states said.

Wike-faction petitions NJC over Justice Akintola

Meanwhile, addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Imo State PDP chairman, Hon Austin Nwachukwu, flanked by other members of the faction loyal to the FCT Minister, said they wanted Nigerians and party members to know that a petition had been submitted to the chairman of the NJC against Justice A. L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court.

Justice Akintola had granted an ex parte order permitting the PDP to proceed with its November 15 and 16 convention, just days after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the party to halt the exercise until it corrected the anomalies surrounding the issuance of notice for the convention.

The petition, dated November 5, and received by the Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria on November 6, was submitted by Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Turnah Alabah George on behalf of themselves as critical stakeholders of the PDP.

Nwachukwu said the petition raises serious concerns over what he described as ?acts of judicial recklessness, impunity, and flagrant violation of established legal processes? by Justice Akintola, particularly in his decision to issue an ex parte order on November 4 permitting the conduct of the PDP convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.

The petitioners argued that the order directly contradicted a valid and subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on October 31 (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025), which had expressly restrained the PDP from holding its convention on those dates.

They warned that Justice Akintola?s action amounted to sitting on appeal over a judgment of a court of coordinate jurisdiction, an act that undermines judicial hierarchy and the sanctity of the rule of law.

?This disturbing development not only threatens the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary but also risks setting a dangerous precedent capable of eroding public confidence in the justice system,? the petition read.

They called on the NJC to urgently investigate the matter and take decisive action, as it had done in similar cases involving judicial misconduct in Rivers and Imo states.

?The NJC must reaffirm its commitment to discipline, impartiality, and the preservation of judicial integrity by ensuring that errant judicial officers are held accountable without delay. The Nigerian judiciary must remain the last hope of the common man and not a tool in the hands of those seeking to subvert justice for political expediency,? Nwachukwu said.

Court reiterates order permitting convention

Justice Akintola on Monday reaffirmed his earlier order allowing the PDP to proceed with its planned national convention, directing the party?s leadership to strictly adhere to the approved guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities.

The judge issued the directive during Monday?s proceedings after hearing submissions from parties in the originating suit. He further instructed them to file all necessary processes to ensure the effective commencement of the case.

Justice Akintola then adjourned the matter until Wednesday for the hearing of all pending applications.

The claimant in the suit, Folahan Adelabi, is seeking an order restraining the defendants?Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum; Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (for himself and members of the National Convention Organising Committee); and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)?or their agents, from truncating or frustrating the conduct of the scheduled national convention.

Tsauri: Wike camp can?t stop convention

Speaking on the forthcoming convention, a former National Secretary of the party, Ibrahim Tsauri, told Daily Trust that the court had confirmed the convention and that the Wike-backed faction would not be able to stop it.

He explained that the PDP constitution is clear and that as law-abiding members, they would always obey court rulings.

?When the Abuja court said we should stop, we obeyed. We continued preparations but had no intention of holding the convention until the court decided. Now, another court has given us the mandate to go ahead. Even though they are courts of the same jurisdiction, if one verdict comes today and another tomorrow, which one do you obey?? he asked rhetorically.

He insisted that the Damagum-led NWC remains the party?s authentic leadership as recognised by the constitution.

?Those who boast that nobody can touch them in this country have now seen that even top party officers can be suspended for anti-party activities. Their paymasters should take note; this is a signal of what is coming. The court has recognised no one except Damagum,? Tsauri said.

According to him, ?The national convention will hold, new NWC members will be elected, and once we put our house in order, don?t be surprised that before the end of 2026, those who defected to the APC will begin to return.

?President Tinubu will realise it?s a waste of time and resources to stand for election against the PDP. He might even consider joining the PDP to contest.?

Tsauri added that after the convention, a wave of defections back to the PDP would be unstoppable, dismissing the factional BoT as ?child?s play?. (Daily Trust)

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