In a dramatic upheaval that has rocked Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the expulsion of high-profile members, including the controversial Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has taken center stage. This shocking decision has been hailed by some within the party as a much-needed cleansing, with former PDP presidential campaign spokesman Umar Sani boldly declaring it “better late than never.” But is this truly a triumph for the PDP or merely a performative act of desperation?

During a recent segment on Arise News’ breakfast show, Morning Show, Sani faced the fire over the party's tardy disciplinary actions. He insisted that they had made sincere attempts at harmony through the Ambassador Hassan Adamu Committee, which was supposed to mediate the infighting ravaging the party. However, it appears that the family metaphor has turned sour, with Wike himself labeling the strife as a family dispute.

“We sought to resolve this within our ranks, but it became painfully obvious that the feud was far from over. Wike even had the audacity to demand that we refrain from fielding a presidential candidate in 2027! We simply can’t afford to let this chaos linger,” Sani argued, underscoring the urgency for decisive action to restore order.

The timing of the expulsion has sparked debates, yet Sani maintains, “What we did was necessary, even if it seems late.” His sentiments reflect a palpable urgency within the party to act against dissent and restore unity before it's too late.

Adding to the spectacle, Sani recounted a baffling moment at the party's recent national elective convention in Ibadan, where a master of ceremonies mistakenly introduced individuals as officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This blunder was swiftly corrected by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, who, in a matter of moments, clarified that they were merely national election observers. Talk about a circus!

“As soon as I tweeted the presence of INEC officials, Bala jumped in to correct it, and I had to scramble to set the record straight to avoid being dragged into the mess,” Sani stated, as he highlighted the critical need for accurate communication amid the chaos of political proceedings.

According to Sani, whether or not INEC officials were present is irrelevant to the legitimacy of the party convention. He pointed out that while the electoral act allows for monitoring by INEC, it does not require their presence,citing the Labour Party’s previous convention that proceeded without INEC oversight. This brings into question the very foundation of what makes a political gathering valid.

“We followed all the necessary steps for our convention, including a 21-day notice. Our event was compliant with statutory court orders,” Sani emphasized, as if trying to convince a skeptical audience of the PDP’s legitimacy.

At the tumultuous 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, the PDP elected Kabiru Turaki, the former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, as its new National Chairman, alongside Taofeek Arapaja, the former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, now serving as the National Secretary. But the real headline-grabber is the expulsion of several key members, including Wike and former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, for alleged anti-party activities, a move that was pushed forward by former Deputy National Chairman Bode George and seconded by Bauchi’s Samaila Buga.

Governor Bala Mohammed, chairing the PDP Governors’ Forum, put the expulsion motion to a voice vote, which was met with overwhelming approval from delegates. This swift and decisive action seems to signal the PDP's renewed vigor in tackling dissent and enforcing party loyalty.

As the PDP navigates this stormy political landscape, the ramifications of these expulsions and the internal strife are sure to redefine its path in Nigeria's political arena. Will this bold move restore unity or fracture the party beyond repair? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: the drama is far from over.