Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, has dismissed the expulsion of his principal, Nyesom Wike, and former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, branding the exercise a mere “Dirty December in November” festivity.
In a statement sent to Vanguard on Saturday, Olayinka said PDP leaders and delegates who converged on Ibadan for the party’s National Convention had effectively travelled to the Oyo State capital to “begin their celebrations long before December arrived.”
He argued that whatever resolutions or pronouncements came out of the Ibadan gathering should be interpreted within the context of a politically charged social outing rather than a serious, sober political process.
“They went to Ibadan to start their own Dirty December in November. When people decide to start their Dirty December early, one can’t help but ignore whatever comes out of their mouths,” Olayinka said.
He further claimed that the convention amounted to a social get-together where attendees were free to “indulge in drinks” and “say anything,” suggesting that their decisions — including the expulsion of top party figures — should not be taken seriously.
Earlier on Saturday, the PDP convention in Ibadan announced the expulsion of Wike, Anyanwu and Fayose over alleged anti-party activities. The motion for their removal was moved by PDP founding father Chief Bode George and seconded by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, before being adopted by delegates.
Also affected by the sweeping sanction were several other party officials, including National Legal Adviser Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN), Umar Bature, AbdulRahman Mohammed, Mao Chuambuwa, George Turner, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Ammah and Dan Orbih.
The convention itself has been dogged by controversy, as multiple court orders were reportedly issued to halt the Ibadan gathering. Some senior PDP figures, including a former President of the Senate, had publicly urged the Damagum-led faction to obey the court rulings and avoid actions capable of further deepening divisions or “imploding” the party.
Olayinka’s reaction signals that the expelled camp is unlikely to recognise the outcome of the convention, setting the stage for fresh legal and political battles over the legitimacy of the decisions taken in Ibadan.
