Anyanwu rejects expulsion from PDP, slams Ibadan convention as ‘jamboree’

Factional National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Samuel Anyanwu, has dismissed his expulsion from the party, describing the recently concluded national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, as a “jamboree.”

Anyanwu spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics hours after the PDP announced his expulsion alongside other party chieftains.

He argued that the exercise was fundamentally flawed, claiming that many states were not represented.

He said, “16 states had not even done their congresses; the entire South-East has not done theirs. All that happened yesterday [Saturday] was a jamboree.”

Anyanwu further noted that even previous congresses had not been formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“Even the ones done earlier have not been communicated to INEC,” he said.

He insisted that with several states absent, the convention, which lasted from Saturday into early Sunday, could not be considered all-inclusive.

“When I heard somebody yesterday at the convention, when they were celebrating, having their jamboree, saying that we must obey the rules of the party, I laughed,” he added.

Addressing his expulsion, Anyanwu said there was no legitimate basis for it.

“I just told you that I was not expelled. Who expelled me? What platform do they have to expel me?” he asked.

Anyway said the committee announcing his expulsion from the party lacked the legal standing to do so.

“This is a committee headed by Tom Ikimi, which is saying that they have been committed to my suspension. It was not today. I went to court. It’s a court judgment. It’s a court order.”

Until the announcement of his expulsion, Anyanwu served as the suspended national secretary of the PDP.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the PDP, at its 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday, expelled several high-profile members, including Anyawu, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, Imo PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, among others over alleged anti-party activities.

The motion for their expulsion was moved by former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Bode George, and seconded by the Bauchi State PDP Chairman, Samaila Buga.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, later put the motion to a voice vote, which delegates overwhelmingly endorsed, signalling the party’s renewed resolve to confront internal dissent and stamp out anti-party conduct within its ranks.