FHC Abuja Upholds Expulsion of Ali Odefa from PDP, Says He’s No Longer Southeast NVC, Voids Ibadan Convention
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed that Mr. Ali Odefa is no longer a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and therefore, cannot be part of any suit instituted by the party or for the party.
The presiding judge, Honourable Justice James Omotosho while delivering judgement in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 instituted by the Chairman of the PDP Imo State, Hon. Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, the Chairman PDP Abia State, Hon. Abraham Amah and the South South Zonal Secretary seeking 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 Ali Odefa is not the Southeast zonal chairman of the party as he has been expelled by his Ogudiokwor Watd in Ebonyi State with his expulsion upheld by the judgement of a Federal High Court.
Ali Odefa in September 2024 was suspended from the party and was subsequently expelled after facing disciplinary committee of the Oguduokwor Ward, Ebonyi State.
His suspension and summary expulsion were separately upheld by the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki.
Ruling on the validity of the scheduled national convention, the court restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the outcome of the convention should it go ahead because the party has not met the legal requirement for conducting the convention.
Justice Omotoso held that the PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions including the guidline of INEC.
Also, the court held that the National Chairman erred by appointing a counsel for the party as only National Legal Adviser has the right to represent or appoint external solicitors to represent the Party. The court therefore, 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 PDP South South Zone and not Chief Ogidi.
