The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party deepened on Tuesday as the faction of the National Executive Committee loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike approved the expulsion of several top members, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal.

Also expelled were former PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former National Vice Chairman Bode George; and the newly elected National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki (SAN).

The decision follows Saturday’s controversial national convention in Ibadan, where Wike and his loyalists were themselves expelled, leading to a tense standoff on Tuesday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, where both factions held parallel NEC and BoT meetings.

At its session in Abuja, the factional NEC also dissolved the executive councils in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti, ordering caretaker committees and fresh congresses.

Reading the communiqué, National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu said the acting National Chairman reported multiple breaches of party rules, including anti-party activities and disregard for court orders. NEC then approved disciplinary action against 18 members, including Wabara, George, Turaki, Makinde, Mohammed, and Lawal.