Court upholds expulsion of ex-PDP South-East Vice Chairman Odefa, voids lbadan convention
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday upheld the expulsion of the former embattled National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ali Odefa, declaring that he is no longer a member of the party.
The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, while delivering judgment in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 instituted by Chairman of the PDP, Imo State, Austin Nwachukwu; Chairman, PDP Abia State, Abraham Amah; and the South-South Zonal Secretary, who sought to stop the scheduled November 15 elective national convention of the party, held that Mr Ali Odefa was validly expelled from the party and therefore has no locus to be joined in the suit.
The court further held that Odefa is not the South-East Zonal Chairman of the party, as he had been expelled by his Ogudiokwor Ward in Ebonyi State, with his expulsion upheld by the judgment of a Federal High Court.
Ali Odefa was suspended from the party in September 2024 and subsequently expelled after facing the disciplinary committee of the Ogudiokwor Ward, Ebonyi State. His suspension and expulsion were separately upheld by the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Moses Idika, Director of Media and Publicity, Anyi Ga Emeya Movement.
Ruling on the validity of the scheduled national convention, the court restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising the outcome of the convention should it proceed, as the party had not met the legal requirements for conducting such an event.
Justice Omotosho held that PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws governing the conduct of conventions, including INEC’s guidelines.
The court also held that the National Chairman erred by appointing counsel for the party, as only the National Legal Adviser has the authority to represent or appoint external solicitors to act on behalf of the party.
Consequently, the court set aside and expunged all processes filed by Chief Chris Uche and Eyitayo Jegede.
The court further held that, by the order of Justice Ekwo, Chief Dan Osi Orbih is the National Vice Chairman of the PDP, South-South Zone, and not Chief Ogidi.