They Begin Dirty December in November, Wike Aide Mocks PDP Over Expulsion

A top aide to the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the minister’s expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a scathing social media post, mocking the party’s leadership.

The comment from Lere Olayinka, who serves as the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, came hours after the PDP ratified the expulsion of several high profile members, including Mr Wike, in a major party shake-up.

In a post on his Facebook handle, Mr Olayinka appeared to reference the party’s national convention, which was held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“When people decided to start their own dirty December in November, one can’t but ignore whatever comes out of their mouths,” he wrote.

“They gathered in Ibadan to do social party, enjoyed themselves and got intoxicated, they are free to say anything.”

The phrase “Dirty December” is a popular term in Nigeria for a season of lavish parties and social events that mark the end of the year.

The PDP had earlier announced the expulsion of Wike, a member of the PDP who is also a sitting minister working with the ruling APC.

The motion to expel Mr Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and the party’s former Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, was moved by Chief Olabode George, a party stalwart, and seconded by the PDP Chairman in Bauchi State, Hon. Samaila Buga.

The decision was ratified on Saturday during the party’s national convention in Ibadan.

The expelled members are widely perceived as recalcitrant figures whose allegiance to the party was questioned. Mr Wike, a former PDP governor and a powerful figure in the party, played a key role in the election of President Bola Tinubu of the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequently accepted a ministerial role in the APC-led government.

The specific charges leading to the expulsions are still emerging, but the move signals a decisive effort by the PDP leadership to purge itself of members deemed to be aligned with rival political camps.