PDP chieftain brands party convention ‘jamboree’ after suspension

A senior figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Anyanwu, has slammed the party’s just-concluded national convention as a “jamboree,” claiming the gathering in Ibadan was not even legal.

Speaking in an exclusive interview after being suspended, Anyanwu said the convention was fundamentally flawed. “Sixteen states had not even done their congresses; the entire South-East has not done theirs,” he declared. “What happened on Saturday was nothing but a jamboree.”

He further argued that congresses held earlier had not been properly communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), rendering the event far from representative. “With so many states absent, you can’t call this all-inclusive,” he added.

The PDP expelled Anyanwu, former FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, ex-Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose, and several others over allegations of anti-party activities and undermining party unity.

“What amused me was hearing someone at the convention saying we must obey party rules,” Anyanwu said, “when the entire exercise was a celebration of illegality.”

The move to expel 11 members was spearheaded by party elder Bode George, citing discordant actions against party interests. The motion was seconded by Bauchi State’s PDP chairman, with Governor Bala Mohammed presiding over its unanimous adoption.

The convention itself took place amid competing court orders—one granting permission for the gathering, the other attempting to stop it.