A former member of the House of Representatives for Jos South–East federal constituency of Plateau State, Dachung Bagos, has criticised the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and nine others by the Umar Damagum–led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the action as lawless and inconsistent with the party’s constitution.
Bagos, who spoke on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, ‘The Morning Brief’, on Monday, argued that any disciplinary action carried out without following due process amounted to “taking decisions at a market square.”
“They are supposed to have a disciplinary committee before suspending or even expelling someone [with] just a voice vote,” he said.
When asked whether the disciplinary steps ought to have been taken earlier, the former lawmaker stressed that timing was less important than adherence to procedure.
“The most important thing is, was due process followed? For me, that’s where I stand. Even if it were now or late, if you want to make your house clear and clean, you need to do some house cleaning,” he said.
“But if the house cleaning wasn’t done on time or due process wasn’t followed, then what you see at the end of the day is what will happen.”
Bagos added that the ongoing internal crisis had dimmed his optimism about the party’s future.
“We shouldn’t be political with the truth. I’ve always stood for the truth. For now, as it is, I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
The PDP, at its elective national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State at the weekend, expelled Wike alongside a former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose; the party’s suspended national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and several other top members for alleged anti-party activities.
Those also expelled included Umar Bature, Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN; Mohammed Abdulrahman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Austine Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, George Turner, and Chief Dan Orbih.
The motion for their expulsion was moved by party chieftain, Chief Bode George, and seconded by the chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed then put the motion to a vote for adoption.
However, the governors of Adamawa and Plateau States, Ahmadu Fintiri and Caleb Mutfwang, respectively, have distanced themselves from the action.
Fintiri, who chairs the PDP 2025 Elective National Convention, said the decision was not in the party’s best interest and warned against actions that could deepen its internal turmoil.
Mutfwang also faulted the process, noting that the matter was neither discussed by the PDP Governors’ Forum nor the National Executive Committee (NEC). He said the proposal did not represent his position and that expelling key figures at such a critical time was not a strategic approach to resolving the party’s challenges.
