By Abiola Olawale
Former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for expelling Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose, and nine other high-profile members over alleged anti-party activities.
The move, ratified at the party’s 20th National Convention in Ibadan over the weekend, was hailed by Aliyu as a necessary surgical strike to save the opposition platform.
Aliyu said: “Like surgeons, we remove a cancer—the cancer that has been part of our party, that has crippled the party.
“We hope that with the removal of the cancer, the party may be able to move and give Nigerians an option on what to do.”
He also warned against turning the country into a one-party state, saying the consequences would be devastating.
“If we make the mistake of creating a one-party state in Nigeria, we will pay for it. So, it’s good that we give an alternative to the Nigerian populace,” he added.
While the convention delegates overwhelmingly ratified the expulsions, the decision has already caused fresh tremors within the party.
Two PDP governors, Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa) and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), quickly dissociated themselves from the expulsion of Wike, noting the matter was neither discussed nor agreed upon by the Governors’ Forum or the National Executive Committee (NEC) before the motion was presented.
The expelled faction, led by Wike’s allies, has also countered the action, labeling it unlawful and a violation of subsisting court orders.
