PDP Rejects Sack Of South East National Vice Chairman, Odefa

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday, January, 16, 2025, declared as null and void, the  purported removal from office of its South-east Zone National Vice Chairman, Chief Ali Odefa.

The Source reports that late 2024, some acclaimed stakeholders and chieftains  of the party in Ebonyi state, had announced the suspension and later, the expulsion of Odifa both from his office ,and as a member of the Party, citing alleged anti-party activities as a major reason.

The expulsion followed a  purported High Court ruling affirming the ealier suspension efforts .

The Ebonyi State Chapter proceeded  to replace him. with Goodluck Egwu .

But in a statement  issued by the National Spokesperson for the party, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP noted that the exercise, as  carried out by a the stakeholders, is not in agreement with the Constitution of the party .

According to him, going by the provisions of relevant sections of the PDP constitution, the State Working Committees, SWC, are not empowered to effect suspension, expulsion or any other disciplinary actions against a member of the National Executive Council NEC, of which Chief Odifa is one.

He noted that any disciplinary measures against such category of members must be approved by the NWC in line with the constitution of the Party

“The attention of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been drawn to the purported removal, from office, of Chief Ali Odefa, as the National Vice Chairman, South East of our great party.

“The NWC categorically declares the purported removal of Chief Ali Odefa, and claimed replacement with another party member, Hon Goodluck Chidiebere Egwu, as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down Rules of our great party.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no State Working Committee has the power whatsoever to expel, suspend or take any disciplinary action against a National Vice Chairman being a member of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party without due recourse to the NWC as provided by the constitution of the PDP.

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”, part of the statement reads.