EXPELLED members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), notably the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike; PDP Secretary Sam Anyanwu, and former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose are planning a series of court actions against the PDP over their expulsion from the party, sources told Economy Post.

The court actions will also target the national convention, which people close to them said “should not have held.”

The PDP had, on Saturday, expelled the three key PDP members, including the party’s National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade; Umar Bature, AbdulRahman Mohammed, Mao Chuambuwa, George Turner, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Ammah and Dan Orbih.

The motion of expulsion was moved by former Deputy Chairman (South) of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, who said the decision was arrived at after the party found the men culpable of engaging in anti-party activities and in moves aimed at destroying the party.

However, Economy Post can report the expelled party members will fight their expulsion in court from next week and also move to nullify the party convention, which held in Ibadan.

“First, we have not been suspended because there is no legality in illegality,” a source close to one of the expelled party members said.

“There was a federal high court order restraining the PDP from proceeding with the 2025 national convention. So, like Mao Ohuabunwa said, the convention in Ibadan is just a jamboree,” the source said.

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Another source close to one of the expelled party leaders said, “This is the final straw that will break the PDP’s back. We will fight this in courts, but we will also fight this outside the courts. Nigerians should watch and see how the once largest party in Africa was killed and buried by selfishness of its members.”

Conflicting court decisions

The PDP has been mired in crisis since the 2022 convention that produced its presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr Atiku Abubakar. The convention divided the party into two major factions, with one led by Mr Wike and then co-governors, including Oyo State’s Chief Executive, Seyi Makinde, who is now a leader of the anti-Wike faction.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had, on November 1, restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention pending the determination of a suit challenging the legality of certain leadership decisions within the party.

But the High Court of Oyo State sitting in Ibadan gave the PDP the go-ahead to hold its planned convention. Justice A. L. Akintola gave the approval while ruling in an ex-parte application brought by a member of PDP in Oyo State, Mr. Folahan Adelabi.

However,  Justice Peter Lifu restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring or recognising any convention conducted by the PDP without including Mr Sule Lamido, who was earlier removed, as a contestant.

You are all intexicated, Wike tells PDP members

Meanwhile, Mr Wike, in his response, said those who expelled him from the party were ‘intoxicated.’ In a statement on Saturday night, Mr Wike said those who expelled him went to Ibadan basically for Detty December.

Detty December is a phrase signifying the festive period in December, characterised by several social activities.

“When people decide to start their own Detty December in November, one can’t but ignore whatever comes out of their mouths. They gathered in Ibadan to do social party, enjoyed themselves and got intoxicated, so they are free to say anything.”

Worst PDP convention

Meanwhile, the convention stands as one of the worst in the history of the PDP. Three governors, Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Sim Fubara (Rivers), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba), stayed away from the convention and were yet to give reasons for their absence as at press time. Fubara and Kefas are said to be planning to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).