…Holds NEC To Address Issues Bedeviling Party
…Founding Fathers Move To Reclaim Party’s Legacy
…S-East PDP Disowns Odefa As Nat’l Vice Chair Ahead Of NEC
…Gov. Adeleke, Osun PDP Endorse Tinubu For Second Term
ABUJA – Barely two years to the 2027 genÂeral election, and as if listening to some stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the parÂty has finally made up its mind to zone its presidential ticket to the South.
This is even as the PDP would hold its caucus, Board of TrustÂees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting today and tomorrow to address issues bedeviling the party and ratify congresses held previously.
Speaking to Daily Independent on Tuesday, the Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy OsadoÂlor, disclosed that the party has opened its presidential ticket to all eligible southerners.
He said: “This is not a contenÂtious NEC, we are coming to NEC to make preparations and discuss way forward towards our national convention and many states were yet to conduct congresses and posÂsibly to seek the powers of NEC for ratification of the ones we have done in most parts and more so look at the committees on zoning.
“Currently, the PDP is under rebuilding. The NEC is a build-up to the progress made on the last NEC.”
Asked where the party would zone its presidential ticket, OsaÂdolor said, “The PDP has opened the presidential ticket to all eligiÂble southerners. We are zoning to the South.”
The PDP founding fathers would also today meet to address salient issues in the party.
The founding fathers, under the aegis of Consultative ConferÂence of PDP Founding Fathers and Stakeholders, it was gathered, have vowed to reclaim the party’s legacy, renewing the collective viÂsion of the party.
Meanwhile, ahead of the PDP NEC meeting, the South-East chapter of the party has disowned Chief Ali Odefa as the party’s NaÂtional Vice Chairman.
The South East PDP under the aegis of South East PDP StakeÂholders said that Ali Odefa is not a member or officer of PDP and as such has no legal standing to act or speak on behalf of the party in any capacity.
Speaking on behalf of the South East while addressing newsmen on Tuesday, Seprebofa Oyeghe, said that Egwu ChidieÂbere Goodluck is the duly nomÂinated National Vice Chairman (South East Zone) of the PDP.
He said that the judgment which issued an order of perpetÂual injunction restraining Chief Ali Odefa from parading himself as a member or officer of the PDP, or participating in party acÂtivities in any form, has not been appealed or vacated by him.
The South East PDP called on the leadership of the party and relevant institutions, and the NiÂgerian public that Odefa is not a member of the PDP, and has no leÂgal standing to act or speak on beÂhalf of the party in any capacity.
Oyeghe said: “This position has been clearly established and reaffirmed through two separate judgments delivered by courts of competent jurisdiction.
“In the judgment delivered on 26th February 2025 by HonÂourable Justice Hillary I. O. OsÂhomah of the Federal High Court, Abakaliki, in suit no. FHC/AI/ CS/227/2024: between Hon. Idika Moses Eze & 3 Others v. Chief Ali Odefa & 2 Others, the court upheld the suspension and expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa from the PDP; restrained him from parading himself as a member or officer of the party.
“Struck down Articles 45, 47(6) and Sections 58 and 59(i)(g) of the PDP constitution (2017 as amendÂed, declaring them inconsistent with Section 46 of the 1999 conÂstitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); emphaÂsised the right to fair hearing and judicial protection of political and civil rights.
“In a further judgment delivÂered on 10th April 2025, in suit no. FHC/AI/CS/2/2025 between Egwu Chidebere Goodluck v. Chief Ali Odefa, PDP & INEC, the same Federal High Court reÂaffirmed the validity of the earlier ruling expelling Chief Odefa.
“Recognised Egwu Chidiebere Goodluck as the duly nominated National Vice Chairman (South East Zone) of the PDP; ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accord full recognition to Mr. Goodluck as the substantive South East Zonal Vice Chairman of the PDP.
“And issued an order of perpetÂual injunction restraining Chief Ali Odefa from parading himself as a member or officer of the PDP, or participating in party activities in any form.
“Importantly, these two court judgments have not been appealed or vacated by Chief Ali Odefa or any other affected persons in any court within Nigeria.
“As such, they remain valid, subsisting, and binding on all parÂties involved, including the PDP, INEC, and Chief Odefa himself.”
Oyeghe said: “In the eyes of the law and in accordance with the party’s constitution and the conÂstitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, Chief Ali Odefa is no longer a member of the PDP and cannot act, repreÂsent, or speak in any capacity on behalf of the party.
“Any actions, correspondence, or claims emanating from him unÂder the guise of PDP representaÂtion are null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
Calling on the party leaderÂship, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others to recognize ChidieÂbere, Oyeghe said, “The South East PDP stakeholders hereby call on the national leadership of the PDP, INEC, security agencies, meÂdia organisations, and the general public to respect and uphold the rule of law by recognising only Egwu ChidiebereGoodluck as the lawfully installed and judicially affirmed & substantive National Vice Chairman (South East).
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to due process, parÂty discipline, and constitutional governance. The PDP in the South East will continue to operate on the foundations of legality, legitiÂmacy, and democratic principles.
“We are aware of the NWC meeting coming up tomorrow and a NEC meeting. We are aware of plans by the party to allow Chief Odefa (who has been expelled) to attend the said meetings. We state in clear terms that that would be contemptuous, and would affect the validity of any decision arÂrived at in the meetings.
“We reiterate that the legal team of Hon. Chidiebere Egwu, remain vigilant and would take all lawful steps to ensure that the valÂid and subsisting orders of court are obeyed and complied with and legal machinery would be put in place to hold Damagun liable for contempt.
“The Damagun led PDP canÂnot elect to treat valid judgments of court with ridicule and disÂdain.”
The 36 members, who were on ground are Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck, Okechukwu Osuoha, Deputy National Legal Adviser; Hon. Austin NwachukÂwu, Imo State PDP Chairman; Hon. Abraham Amah, Abia PDP Chairman; Hon. Onwe Solomon Onwe, former PDP National SecÂretary, among others.
Gov. Adeleke, Osun PDP Endorse Tinubu For Second Term
Meanwhile, Osun State goverÂnor, Ademola Adeleke, alongside the state leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has forÂmally declared their support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-elecÂtion bid in the 2027 presidential election.
This decision comes amid reÂcent speculation that Governor Adeleke was planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that reportedly faced strong resistance from members of the Osun State APC.
The endorsement of Tinubu by Governor Adeleke and the PDP was officially confirmed during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Monday at the Government House in Oke-Fia, Osogbo.
A communiquĂ© released on Tuesday after the meeting was signed by Governor Adeleke, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Speaker of the House of AssemÂbly Adewale Egbedun, former Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and 24 other notable party leaders.
The communiquĂ© highlighted the significance of local politics and the views of grassroots supÂporters as key factors influencing their political choices.
It also clarified that the ruÂmoured defection plan did not stem from Governor Adeleke and had encountered “strong reÂsistance” from APC members in Osun, who had publicly criticised him on social media and national platforms.
The communiqué also stated that while PDP members were initially uncomfortable with the defection idea, they had agreed to stand by the governor out of loyalty.
The party leaders reiterated that Governor Adeleke, his adÂministration, and the PDP conÂtinue to be the dominant political force in the state.
The party leaders stressed that Adeleke, his administration, and the PDP remain the most popular and widely accepted political force in the state.
“That the majority of the members of the APC in Osun State are opposed to the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to the APC, which did not originate from the governor in the first inÂstance.
“Some APC leaders based on entrenched interests, have demonÂstrated hostility and resentment towards Governor Ademola Adeleke. Some went on social media and national television to call Governor Adeleke all kinds of unprintable names.
“That the majority of PDP members in Osun State are not happy about the idea of the deÂfection of Governor Adeleke to APC, but only reluctantly agreed to follow Governor Adeleke to wherever he goes to show their love, support and loyalty to his leadership.
“That the state governor, the state government, and the PDP as a political party remain very popular and acceptable above all other political parties in Osun State.
“Consequently, the leaders hereby resolve that the PDP in Osun State recognises the fact that Osun State is the ancestral home of President Bola Ahmed TinuÂbu, which makes the president the son of Osun State. Therefore, the PDP in Osun State hereby adopts and endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.
“That PDP in Osun State reafÂfirms its adoption and endorseÂment of Governor Ademola Adeleke for re-election in the 2026 governorship election on the platÂform of the PDP.
“That Governor Ademola Adeleke and all members of the PDP in Osun State should remain in the PDP. That the leadership of the PDP in Osun State is directed to disseminate the resolution to all structures of the party in the state.
“That the state governor is enjoined to forge ahead with govÂernance and implementation of the administration’s Five Point Agenda.”
~Opera