Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has publicly opposed the decision by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to expel Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and other key members.
Governor Fintiri, who served as the Chairman of the Convention Organising Committee in Ibadan, issued a statement dissociating himself from the disciplinary action, which he deemed detrimental to the stability of the party. Wike, former Governor Ayodele Fayose, and others were expelled after a motion ratified at the convention, which Wike’s faction had rejected.
The motion for the mass expulsion of Wike, Fayose, and others was moved by former PDP National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George, and seconded by the Bauchi State PDP Chairman, Hon. Samaila Burga, amid the convention proceedings.
The action targets members accused of anti-party activities and fueling internal divisions.
Despite his role as the Convention Organizing Committee Chairman, Governor Fintiri immediately rejected the outcome.
I wish to categorically state that I dissociate myself from the position of expelling the Honourable Minister… I believe that this decision is not in the best interest of the party, and I will not be party to any attempt that could further plunge the PDP into an unending crisis – Fintiri
Governor Fintiri was one of only four PDP governors attending the convention, which was shunned by three others; Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers).
The convention itself proceeded despite multiple, conflicting court rulings regarding its legality, with the Federal High Court, Abuja, orders suggesting the party had not complied with all legal requirements for its conduct.
Fintiri advocates for dialogue, urging all stakeholders to prioritize peace and reconciliation, and work towards healing the divisions within the party rather than escalating the crisis through disciplinary actions.
The PDP leadership that orchestrated the expulsions, supported by figures like Bode George, views the action as a necessary towards enforcing discipline, by reinforcing the supremacy of the party, and to mitigate anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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