With less than two years to the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally resolved to zone its presidential ticket to the South.
This key decision comes ahead of the party’s high-level meetings, including its Caucus, Board of Trustees (BoT), and National Executive Committee (NEC) gatherings scheduled for today and tomorrow. These meetings aim to address ongoing internal challenges and ratify congresses conducted across various states.
Confirming the development, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, told Daily Independent on Tuesday that the party has thrown open its presidential ticket to all qualified individuals from the South.
“This is not a contentious NEC,” Osadolor said. “The meeting is to prepare for our national convention, ratify pending congresses, and review zoning arrangements. The party is in a rebuilding phase.”
Meanwhile, the PDP’s founding fathers, under the umbrella of the Consultative Conference of PDP Founding Fathers and Stakeholders, are also meeting today to deliberate on critical issues affecting the party and reaffirm their commitment to restoring its legacy.
Southeast PDP Rejects Ali Odefa, Declares His Membership Void
Amid preparations for the NEC meeting, the PDP’s Southeast chapter is embroiled in a leadership tussle, disowning Chief Ali Odefa as its National Vice Chairman.
Speaking on behalf of the South East PDP Stakeholders at a press briefing in Abuja, Seprebofa Oyeghe stated that Odefa has been expelled from the party and has no legal standing to act on its behalf. Oyeghe declared Egwu Chidiebere Goodluck as the duly nominated National Vice Chairman for the Southeast zone.
He cited two separate judgments by the Federal High Court in Abakaliki which upheld Odefa’s expulsion and recognized Chidiebere as the legitimate officeholder. According to Oyeghe, the rulings have neither been appealed nor vacated.
“In the eyes of the law, Chief Ali Odefa is no longer a PDP member and cannot represent the party in any capacity. Any such action from him is null and void,” Oyeghe stressed.
He urged the PDP national leadership, INEC, security agencies, and the public to respect the court’s rulings and accord full recognition to Chidiebere Goodluck.
The stakeholders also warned that any attempt to allow Odefa to participate in upcoming party meetings would be considered contempt of court and could undermine the legality of decisions reached. They vowed to take legal action to ensure compliance with the court’s orders.
Present at the press conference were key Southeast PDP leaders, including Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Abraham Amah (Abia PDP Chairman), Hon. Onwe Solomon Onwe (former PDP National Secretary), and Okechukwu Osuoha (Deputy National Legal Adviser).
