The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has entered a new phase of its prolonged internal crisis, marked by the formal expulsion of 11 prominent members, including former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose. The National Working Committee (NWC), led by its new National Chairman Kabiru Turaki, issued formal certificates of expulsion on December 2, following a marathon meeting at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. This move, ratified by the National Convention in Ibadan, aims to ensure political clarity, prevent individuals from violating laws on dual party membership, and formally notify institutions like INEC and security agencies of their disengagement. Other individuals issued certificates of expulsion include former PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade (SAN), Abdurahman Muhammad, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah Nnanna, George Turna, and Chief Dan Orbih.

The expulsion process, however, remains contentious, as it reportedly defied existing court orders that had halted the Ibadan convention due to legal disputes over parallel state congresses. A faction loyal to Wike, led by embattled National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and factional Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, rejected the Ibadan convention as illegitimate. This group held its own NEC meeting on November 18 in Abuja, where it retaliated by issuing its own wave of expulsions, targeting figures such as Governors Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed, and Dauda Lawal, former Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, and Turaki himself, citing similar allegations of anti-party activities and defiance of court directives.

Amidst these national party upheavals, the NWC under Turaki also reviewed and approved the Osun State congresses and the ongoing governorship primary election. Turaki insisted that reports from the field indicated a transparent and rancour-free process, dismissing claims from the Osun State party chairman regarding an indefinite postponement of the primaries. He emphasized that only the NWC possessed the constitutional authority to conduct, postpone, or cancel party primaries. Subsequently, Adebayo Adedamola secured an overwhelming victory in the Osun governorship primary election for the 2026 poll, polling 919 votes out of 957 ballots cast, following the withdrawal of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke officially resigned from the PDP on November 4, 2025, citing the ongoing crisis within the party’s national leadership. His resignation, confirmed by his Chief Press Secretary Olawale Rasheed, was long anticipated and came before the primary election where his name still appeared on the ballot. Adeleke’s predicament mirrors that of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, who similarly resigned from the PDP due to leadership crises. Sources indicate that Adeleke is strongly considering joining the Accord Party for the forthcoming election, following failed attempts to align with the APC. His political mentor, former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, validated this speculation, describing the Accord Party as a “fair option.” The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, stated that the governor would announce his new party before December 13, reiterating that Adeleke’s decision was influenced by the national division and the looming INEC nomination deadline. Socio-political groups and former party officials have commended Adeleke’s decision, viewing it as a strategic move to escape the crisis-ridden PDP and avoid potential disqualification scenarios.

Earlier, the immediate past National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, formally handed over to Kabiru Turaki, presenting a stewardship document to guide the new NWC. Damagum expressed optimism that the PDP would surmount its internal challenges, calling it the