Politics
PDP Debunks Viral Post Dismissing Ali Odefa’s Replacement, Says it’s Worthless, Should Be Ignored
Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as worthless, fake and unverifiable a Facebook post made by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Debo Ologunagba dismissing the replacement of the expelled erstwhile National Vice Chairman of the PDP, Southeast zone, Mr. Ali Odefa.
It would be recall that Mr. Ali Odefa was initially suspended from the party on September 4, 2024 by the Executive Committee of Oguduokwor Ward, his ward.
The suspension was later upheld by the by the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abakaliki in suit No: FHC/AI/CS/182/2024. The judgement delivered on November 29, 2024 by Honourable Justice Hilary I. O. Oshomah according to the party was very explicit and explanatory of the subsequent status of Mr. Ali Odefa as far as Ebonyi State PDP is concerned.
In a statement by a Chieftain of the party, Mazi Moses Idika and made available to journalists in Abakaliki said the court explicitly ruled: “That by the combined provisions of Articles 57 (3), 58 and 59 (1) of the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as amended in 2017), the 1st Defendant viz: Chief Ali Odefa cannot properly and lawfully continue to enjoy the rights and privileges accorded to members of the 2nd Defendant [PDP] and also continue to remain in office as the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Southeast zone of Nigeria.
The Court as said that Chief Odefa cannot exercise and enjoy the powers , rights, and perquisite benefits of the said office in any manner whatsoever during the lifetime of his suspension.”
“That by the combined provisions of Articles 57(3), 58 and 59(1) of the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as amended in 2017), the 1st defendant viz: Chief Ali Odefa cannot validly hold or continue to hold the office of the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Southeast zone of Nigeria or any other office for that matter during the lifetime of his suspension.”
Mr. Idika maintained that consequent upon his earlier valid suspension, Mr. Odefa was later expelled from the party by the Oguduokwor Ward executives after the erstwhile NVC was found culpable by the party’s Ward disciplinary Committee.
“Upon the expulsion of Mr. Odefa, leaders of the PDP in Ebonyi State unanimously selected the Zonal Youth Leader of the party, Hon. Chidiebere Goodluck Egwu as a replacement to serve out the remaining weeks of Mr. Odefa’s tenure as the National Vice Chairman of the PDP Southeast Zone.
“The instruments nominating Hon. Chidiebere Goodluck Egwu to the appropriate authorities of the PDP National Working Committee, including the Acting National Chairman, the National Secretary among others has been communicated.
It is, therefore, very unfortunate that Mr. Ologunagba in his Facebook post hinged his statement on a section of the constitution of the PDP that the court has already declared a nullity for its inconsistency with the Grundnorm of law in Nigeria, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
Ologunagba in a Facebook post had said, “For emphasis, Section 57(7) of the Constitution of the PDP is clear in providing that “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly.””
“Curiously, Mr. Ologunagba conveniently ignored and deliberately left out the fact that Honourable Justice Hilary I. O, Oshomah of the Federal High Court Abakaliki while ruling on Suit No: No: FHC/AI/CS/182/2024 in the matter between Hon. Ovuta Herbert Onyedikachi (Acting Chairman PDP, Oguduokwor, Onicha LGA), Hon. Emmanuel Uzor (Acting Chairman, PDP Onicha LGA), Hon. Mrs. Ede Uzoamaka (Acting Secretary PDP, Onicha LGA) VS Chief Ali Odefa; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has already laid to rest Article 57(7) of the PDP constitution in the graveyard of byelaw brigandage. The court has already ruled inter alia:
“That the provisions of Articles 57(7) and 59 (3) of the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party 2017 (as amended) are inconsistent with section 36 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , 1999 (as amended)and therefore contrary to the legal principle viz; nemo judex in causa sus (no one should be a judge in his own case) and the time-honoured legal principle of natural justice, equity and good conscience.
“That the combined provisions of article 57 (3), 58 and 59 (1) of the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as amended in 2017) and section 82 of the Electoral Act 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission cannot legally recognise, Conduct any official business, or relate with the 1st defendant viz: Chief Ali Odefa as the National Vice Chairman, South East Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party in any manner whatsoever during the tenure of his suspension as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party concerning the affairs of the 2nd defendant.”
Mazi Idika said, “It is, in actual fact, a contemptuous jaywalking on the part of Mr. Ologunagba to want to use his access to PDP official Facebook page to mislead the Nigerian public.
“Although, we are not surprised that Mr. Ologunagba has resorted to facebooking as the National Publicity Secretary of the party- he knows no better.
He noted that as the spokesman of the Nigeria’s main opposition political party, Mr. Ologunagba holds the undisputed prize as the laziest, most ineffective and unsuited for that exalted position that should ordinarily be the mouthpiece of the oppressed and misgoverned people of Nigeria.
“Ologunagba has never been seen confronting issues bedeviling the party or Nigerians. Mr. Ologunagba’s duckling approach to the management of the Image of our great party, the PDP is nothing but disastrous in the last few years and we are only grateful that his tenure is ending soon.
He urged the general public to discountenances the purported press statement adding that the party is aware that the exalted National Working Committee of the PDP has not met yet to deliberate the lawful replacement of the expelled erstwhile National Vice Chairman of the PDP in the Southeast zone.
“For the avoidance of doubt, these are legal and constitutional matters that a Facebook post of an officer of the PDP cannot and will never vitiate.
“Patriotic and committed members of the PDP in Ebonyi are aware that a Facebook post by an officer of the party in Abuja has no strength whatsoever to upturn the lawful decision of the good people of Ebonyi State and the decisions of members of the PDP in Ebonyi State.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections, a mass protest voting movement may be building up in Anambra South Senatorial District, following reported moves by members of major political parties to support the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Ebuka Onunkwo.
The development is said to be linked to grievances among some members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the treatment allegedly meted out to Onunkwo during previous political contests.
Onunkwo, who had previously contested the Anambra South senatorial seat under APGA, later emerged as the NDC candidate for the 2027 election.
Although the ADC is currently embroiled in legal disputes over the authentic candidates and the conduct of its primary elections, some members of the APC and APGA are also reportedly dissatisfied with developments within their respective parties.
It was gathered that a section of APGA members, in particular, are backing Onunkwo as a form of protest over the conduct of the party’s senatorial primary, while some members of other parties are also believed to be considering voting for him irrespective of their party affiliations.
Confirming the growing support for Onunkwo, the Chief Executive Officer of NOWAS Oil and Gas Limited and a major stakeholder in Anambra South politics, Chief Ignesus Ikechukwudere Nnubia, said the NDC candidate currently enjoys widespread acceptability across party lines.
Nnubia said the growing support for Onunkwo had made his party affiliation less significant, arguing that voters would ultimately vote according to their conscience and assessment of the candidates.
He said, “At the moment, the number of APGA members with him and supporting him makes one wonder what is left of that party. Even the remnants of the PDP have pitched their tents with him, while members of the ruling APC at the national level are also behind him.
“So, the party that he belongs to is not a factor at all. You know that it is a game of numbers, and people are going to vote according to their conscience and not necessarily because of the political party they belong to.
“People are not bound to vote for their party, and some of them are ready and willing to vote for him.
“We are not talking about the party because he will surely get votes from the NDC, APGA, APC and even other political parties that are already closing ranks to support him as their candidate.”
Nnubia further described Onunkwo as the candidate currently standing tall among the contenders for the Anambra South senatorial seat, expressing confidence that his emergence would usher in what he described as a “new dawn” for the district.
He said political parties should not be the major consideration for voters, stressing that what matters most is the ability of elected representatives to improve the lives of their constituents.
According to him, political parties exist because of the people, and therefore the influence of party structures and incumbency has its limits during elections.
Nnubia said those factors would ultimately be tested by the electorate in the 2027 election, which he described as a contest in which voters’ choices would determine the outcome.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Ebonyi State election, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has pledged to attract more than ₦2 trillion in private-sector investment to the state within six months of assuming office if elected.
Odii made the pledge while addressing supporters in Lagos ahead of the formal commencement of his campaign.
He said his investment strategy would cover key sectors of the Ebonyi economy, including mining, hospitality, real estate and manufacturing.
According to the PDP candidate, he has identified more than 2,000 prospective investors, each capable of investing about ₦1 billion in the state.
“I have over 2,000 people who can invest ₦1 billion each. When you multiply it, you will get over ₦2 trillion. This has been structured in such a way that all aspects of the economy will be involved,” Odii said.
He said the proposed investment drive was designed not only to inject capital into the state but also to create jobs, expand the productive base of the economy and provide opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs.
Odii said Ebonyi’s natural resources and strategic location placed it in a strong position to attract large-scale investments if its economic potential was properly harnessed.
He promised that his administration would prioritise private-sector participation, industrialisation and job creation while creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investors.
The candidate also said existing businesses in the state would be supported to expand, while new investors would be encouraged to establish operations across various sectors.
His pledge comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with economic development, employment generation and wealth creation featuring prominently in his campaign message.
The proposed ₦2 trillion investment target within six months, if achieved, would represent a significant boost to Ebonyi’s economy and rank among the most ambitious private-sector investment mobilisation plans proposed in the state.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The planned visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Anambra State has sparked controversy following a protest by the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Emma Anosike, that the party was not informed about the visit.
Anosike said the APC in Anambra was never consulted or briefed about the proposed visit, adding that the party was taken aback by reports that the wife of the party’s national leader and presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would be visiting the state without recourse to the state chapter.
He said, “It is indeed strange that the First Lady of our presidential candidate is visiting Anambra State without recourse to the party in the state.
“The party wishes to state categorically that we are not part of the arrangements for the reception of our First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, because the party was never put in the picture.”
Anosike also dismissed the mantra that “The Progressives Are Working Together”, being canvassed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), describing it as a smokescreen by the ruling party in Anambra to hijack President Tinubu’s re-election from the APC.
He said, “For instance, the APGA-led government in Anambra State did not interface with us on the organisation of the visit, and the party wonders if the progressives are indeed working together.”
The APC chairman, however, said the development would not compromise the First Lady’s visit, urging all APC members and supporters in the state to turn out and give Senator Oluremi Tinubu a warm welcome.
He stressed that despite the party’s reservations over the arrangements, APC members remained committed to welcoming the First Lady to Anambra State.
Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Sagir Saleh, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saleh, who served as deputy governor under former Governor Isa Yuguda, announced his resignation in a letter submitted to the party leadership in Katagum Local Government Area.
He cited personal reasons for his decision but did not provide further details.
His exit comes amid growing disagreements within the Bauchi APC following the party’s 2027 governorship primary. Other prominent members, including former governorship aspirant Bala Jibrin and Sunusi Kunde, an associate of Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, have also reportedly left the party.
Jibrin, a former National Auditor of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), resigned on August 31, 2026, following his opposition to the emergence of former Bauchi Governor Muhammad Abubakar as the APC’s 2027 governorship candidate.
He had criticised the primary process and questioned how the candidate emerged.
Kunde also resigned from the APC in August, submitting his resignation to the party chairman of Beti Ward in Misau Local Government Area.
The latest departures are coming as efforts continue to resolve internal disputes and disagreements among APC members in the state.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to assassinate former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ayodele issued the warning in a video shared on his verified X account on Sunday, urging both opposition figures to strengthen their security and remain vigilant.
The cleric did not identify those allegedly behind the purported plot but claimed that attempts were being made to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
According to him, divine intervention would prevent the alleged plan from succeeding.
“Obi and Atiku, be very conscious of your security. They are looking for any means to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
“But God will never allow it to happen. Watch out and be cautious about your security,” he said.
Ayodele also urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider travelling to the United States, alleging that there were forces in America working against his political fortunes.
The claims come as political activities and realignments intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
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