The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South zone, Emmanuel Ogidi, has insisted that the suspension and expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose, and other party chieftains remain valid.
Ogidi stated this on Wednesday during his appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, dismissing contrary claims as baseless.
“Nigerians know the truth. They are just making noise. They’ve been expelled,” he said.
Ogidi recalled that the PDP, at its national convention held in November in Ibadan, Oyo State, expelled Wike, Fayose, the party’s former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, and eight others over alleged anti-party activities.
According to the party, the expelled members engaged in actions deemed inconsistent with the PDP’s collective interest. Certificates of expulsion were subsequently issued to those affected.
The PDP South-South chairman noted that following the expulsions, a faction loyal to Wike announced the suspension of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and others who supported the convention’s decision.
He maintained, however, that such counter-moves had no standing within the party.
Weeks after his expulsion, Wike had publicly insisted that he remained a member of the PDP.
“I’m still in the PDP. So those who have remained, we’ll continue to work together,” Wike said while reacting to the defection of some PDP lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He added, “Put your house in order. Because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that will lose.”
Wike’s rift with the PDP dates back to 2022 when he demanded that the party zone its presidential ticket to the South.
However, when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the North-East emerged as the PDP’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Wike openly supported the ruling APC during the polls.