PDP Chieftain Dismisses Ibadan Convention as “Christmas Carol,” Says Wike’s Expulsion Is Invalid

A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okechukwu Osohua, has downplayed the party’s recent convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, describing it as nothing more than a casual meeting among friends rather than a legally recognised political gathering.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Osohua likened the two-day event — held between November 15 and 16 — to “a Christmas Carol,” arguing that it had no constitutional backing. “As far as I’m concerned, it was just a gathering of friends, and I can even call it a Christmas Carol because it was not known to law; there was no convention,” he said.

The Ibadan gathering, supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, resulted in the expulsion of prominent PDP figures, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose; and former National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu. Their removal was attributed to alleged anti-party activities, further deepening divisions within the PDP. The party subsequently issued certificates of expulsion to the affected members.

However, Osohua questioned both the legality and the motive behind the expulsions. He argued that the decisions were driven by “selfish interest” rather than adherence to party rules. More notably, he dismissed the concept of an “expulsion certificate” as unprecedented and lacking any legal foundation.

“A certificate of expulsion is unknown to me, because that’s the first time I’m hearing it,” he said. “Those who are comfortable saying that they issued a certificate of expulsion — where did they derive it from? In which law? Before you take any action, there must be a statute or law that is guiding and providing for it.”

He further mocked the idea by asking whether the party had ever issued “certificates of entrance” when members first joined, which would justify issuing a formal document upon expulsion. “I have been in politics for a while. I have not heard that you expel somebody and he is given a certificate of expulsion,” he said.

Osohua’s remarks come at a time when internal conflicts continue to shake the PDP, with the Ibadan convention adding fresh controversy to the party’s already turbulent political landscape.